A film memoir based on NZ filmmaker Gaylene Preston’s (Bread & Roses, War Stories) interviews with her father about his World War II experiences. Stars Martin Henderson.
Ed Preston (old Ed is played by Tony Barry, young Ed is played by Martin Henderson) is on his way home from rugby practice in 1940, when he signs up for the New Zealand Army to fight in World War II. His new wife, Tui, is pregnant and distraught, but he tells her not to worry, he’ll be home by Christmas. And so he is – four years later – after escaping from a prison camp in Italy. But while Ed is away, Tui has fallen in love with another man.
While the artistic and continued commercial success of Boy continues to be the big news in the local film scene, you have to hope it doesn’t overshadow this very different but similarly impressive release. In its own way, Home By Christmas should become the definitive New Zealand war movie.
The story is told through an interview with a veteran, which is a fitting way to communicate the events of World War II. Most of us have an elderly relative who went through the battles in far off lands and this method captures the time and distance between those happenings and us. This structure combines with richly-coloured recreations and stylised stock footage that imbue the aesthetic with a faded old world charm, capturing a sense of both romanticism and the harsh realities of combat.
As well as the filmmaking itself, the story it depicts is absorbing. Tales of prisoner-of-war camps contrast with the scent of illicit love affairs back home to create a genuine emotional core. This is heightened by the disconnect between the two main characters, ably performed by Martin Henderson and Chelsie Preston-Crayford (playing her real-life grandmother).
A great mix of social history, romance and artistic vision combine to create a film every New Zealander should see.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
this movie so closely follows my dad Ken and his mate Bill Mac 's story that it could be about them. It is wonderful.
A higher budget would not have brought out the direct messages of the harsh limitations and realities of what it was like for the young couple and the mental anguishes they went through. They were ordinary folk faced with horrors which some of the insensitive critics fail miserably to comprehend. It is not a documentary or an entertainment film but a strong visual telling of a real story about real decent people who had more strength than the couch potatoes slanging it.
This has to be the worst film I have ever seen. It isn't even a movie. It is mostly close ups of a boring old man's nostrils with lacklustre acting from martin henderson. I unfortnately saw this at the movies with two friends and I was the only one who didn't fall asleep. Don't waste your time watching it.
I know that POW's are reluctant to talk about their experiences and Tony did a fine job in recalling these but at times his voice was a bit monotonous. A shame that Martin and Tui did not have more to say when he returned home. Young Edward such a fine young boy.Well done though.
I call it a Doco Movie. As a Baby Boomer I thought it was great
A classic New Zealand story, perfectly told
This well-timed kiwi outing from filmmaker Gaylene Preston will attract a passionate audience, with the kind of film many will augment with their own personal stories for a more intimate resonance.
Through old photos, footage from the times and period recreation, the whole story of Ed Preston comes to life - it's a bold narrative touch which makes the memoir stand out.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 29th Apr 2010.
Release date: April 29th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
