Three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey has been confirmed as starring in “Pike River,” the upcoming dramatic thriller set and shot in New Zealand and centered around one of the country’s worst disasters in modern history.
Signature Entertainment has unveiled a first look of Lynskey alongside co-star Robyn Malcolm (“Top of the Lake,” “Blackbird”), both of whom had been rumoured in the New Zealand press as the film’s lead cast. Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”) also stars. Signature will launch international sales at the Cannes Film Market.
Directed by Robert Sarkies (“Out of the Blue”) from a script by Fiona Samuel (“Consent”), “Pike River” focuses on the true story of Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, two women whose friendship empowered them to fight for justice after the Pike River Mine tragedy in 2010, which took the lives of 29 men underground. The feature is produced by Vicky Pope (“Savage,” “Went Up the Hill”) and Timothy White (“I Am Mother”).
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“Pike River” was shot on location on the dramatic West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand with the support of members of the Pike community. The film was made in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Three, the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate Grant, Fulcrum Media Finance and Park Road Post-Production. Madman Entertainment will distribute in New Zealand and Australia.
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“This is a story of our times that shines a light on what can be achieved when ordinary people band together and choose to stand up for what they believe,” said Pope. “We are so thrilled about the powerhouse partnership of Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm in this film-two incredible actresses playing two incredible women; a kind of Erin Brockovich meets Norma Rae – New Zealand’s own version, gutsy and real and flawed and brave. We’re thrilled to be working with the Signature team who recognized the importance and humanity of this story from the moment we pitched it and have been so supportive of the vision for the film.”
Added Ella Field, executive vice president of international sales for Signature: “From the moment Vicky shared the script for ‘Pike River,’ we fell in love with the extraordinary true story and the two remarkable women at its core. With the special talent of Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm bringing them to life, we can’t wait to share this profoundly moving film with audiences this year.”
Signature will be screening footage of “Pike River” in Cannes as part of a slate that also includes all-star crime comedy “Riff Raff,” featuring Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris and Gabrielle Union.
