Movie- THE CHILLS: THE TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY OF MARTIN PHILLIPPS (6.00pm)

Dominion 3.5/5 Stars "a respectful and insightful trip through the highs and considerable lows of life in the underfunded, underground New Zealand music scene."

NZ Herald 4/5 Stars "This is a story of a musical genius, honest and insightful and beautifully told, and rounded off with stunning images of the local landscape. If you're a fan of The Chills you'll enjoy this jaunt down memory lane, for others, it's both cautionary tale and great story." 

Martin Phillipps came tantalizingly close to conquering the international musical world with his band The Chills, but instead fell into decades of debt and addiction in his hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. At 54, he’s been given a dire medical prognosis, forcing him to face his demons and realise his musical ambitions before it’s too late.

This intimate portrait follows the eccentric Martin as he reconciles a lifetime’s worth of curious collections, looks back on a catalogue of heavenly pop hits and reclaims his place in the iconic Flying Nun and Dunedin sound. With a startling sense of humour even in the blackest moments, we bear witness to one man’s universal battle with the fear of failure and the jarring reality of his own mortality.

Listen to the rock music that personifies 1980s New Zealand, when people loved their leather jackets and lived through the doldrums. Discover one of New Zealand’s most important songwriters and the groundbreaking era that changed the way the world appreciated New Zealand music.

Directed by Julia Parnell ('Wilbur: The King in the Ring'), Rob Curry ('The Boat People', 'The Ballad of Shirley Collins')

Documentary, Music, Festival & Independent|  95 mins M Offensive language & drug references | New Zealand