Point Of View

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with directing duo THUNDERLIPS, directors Sean Wallace and Jordan Mark Windsor, to discuss their new film, Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant, a new comedy-horror addition to the Kiwi film canon.
The film follows an accelerated extraterrestrial pregnancy and is packed with outrageously off-kilter visual effects. Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant premieres in New Zealand cinemas on September 10.
About the film
Mary is a slacker living with her mother and still trying to figure out what to do with her life in New Zealand suburbia. After an awkward sexual encounter with her neighbour, she suddenly finds herself in the midst of an accelerated alien pregnancy!
What follows is a classic Kiwi gross-out take on pregnancy and parenthood that is not afraid to get weird, featuring standout performances from Hannah Lynch (Petrol) as the reluctant mother-to-be, Arlo Green (Workmates) as the hapless half-alien baby daddy, and Yvette Parsons (Notes From a Fish) as Mary’s overbearing mother.
Coming off a premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight section, the debut feature from New Zealand filmmaking duo THUNDERLIPS builds on the concept of their earlier short film Help! I’m Alien Pregnant (Sitges, 2024).
The full-length feature ramps up their signature boisterous energy, exploring the pitfalls of hosting a parasitic life form and the possibilities of what comes next. Complete with an arsenal of eye-popping special effects that harken back to the golden age of body horror, Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant is an unforgettable cinematic experience best enjoyed with a crowd.
What to Expect
Feature Interview – THUNDERLIPS directors Sean Wallace and Jordan Mark Windsor take us behind the scenes of their filmmaking journey, the making of Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant, and bringing their unique vision to the big screen.
View Screen – A look at films arriving in New Zealand cinemas this September
View Box – I Am Still Here, the Oscar-winning film, premieres September 26 on Sky’s Rialto Channel.
Speakers
Tom Augustine – Host (@thaugustine)
Sean Wallace & Jordan Mark Windsor – Directors, THUNDERLIPS
 
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Website: viewmag.co.nz
Stay tuned for more conversations with the people shaping film, culture, and the arts.

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Tongan-Kiwi filmmaker Vea Mafile'o, co-director of Lomu, the new film about All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu, premiering in New Zealand cinemas on September 3.
With a background in visual arts and art direction, Vea has built an impressive career across film and television. Her work includes the documentary For My Father's Kingdom, which premiered at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival, and the acclaimed short Lea Tupu'anga/Mother Tongue, selected for the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
About Lomu
The film follows Jonah Lomu's journey from his schoolboy days at Wesley College and his All Blacks debut to his unforgettable performance at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where he became a global sporting icon.
Drawing on archival interviews with Jonah, former teammates, coach Laurie Mains and his former manager Phil Kingsley Jones, Lomu goes beyond the rugby field to explore the man behind the legend.
The film examines Jonah's Tongan heritage, his quiet and private nature, and the pressures of international fame as rugby moved into the professional era.
What to Expect
Feature Interview – Vea Mafile'o on Lomu, her filmmaking journey, and bringing Jonah's story to the screen.
View Screen – A look at films arriving in New Zealand cinemas this month.
Speakers
Tom Augustine – Host (@thaugustine)
Vea Mafile'o – Filmmaker and co-director of Lomu
Stay Connected
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Instagram: @viewmagnz
Website: viewmag.co.nz
Stay tuned for more conversations with the people shaping film, culture, and the arts.

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Tandi Wright, a multi-award-nominated New Zealand actress whose career spans more than 25 years across film, television, and theatre in New Zealand and internationally. Renowned for her versatility and commanding screen presence, Tandi has built an acclaimed career with lead and supporting roles across stage and screen. Her latest screen credit is a supporting role in Evil Dead Burn, now showing in New Zealand cinemas.
In this episode, Tandi takes us behind the scenes of Evil Dead Burn, discussing her role in the film, the challenges of bringing its intense story to life, and what drew her to the project. She also reflects on her career, the craft of acting, and the experiences that have shaped her journey.
About the Film
Following the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws. But as they begin transforming into deadites one by one, she discovers that the vows she made in life endure even in death.
What to Expect
Feature Interview – Tandi Wright on Evil Dead Burn, her career, and the art of performance.
View Screen – A look at the films arriving in New Zealand cinemas this July.
Best of Streaming – Highlights of what's coming to streaming platforms this month.
Tom's Picks – Must-watch titles from RialtoView, the 100% Kiwi-owned streaming platform.
Speakers
Tom Augustine – Host (@thaugustine)
Tandi Wright – Multi-award-nominated New Zealand actress
Stay Connected
Facebook: @viewmagnz
Instagram: @viewmagnz
Website: viewmag.co.nz
Stay tuned for more conversations with the people shaping film, culture, and the arts.

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with New Zealand film producer and screenwriter Matthew Metcalfe to discuss his latest film, Moss & Freud, now showing in New Zealand cinemas.
The film follows supermodel Kate Moss as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery when renowned artist Lucian Freud offers to paint her portrait, exploring themes of identity, vulnerability, fame, and artistic expression.
What to Expect
Feature Interview – Matthew Metcalfe discusses the making of Moss & Freud, the story behind the film, and bringing real-life figures to the screen.
View Screen – A look at the films arriving in cinemas this June.
Best of Streaming – Highlights of what's coming to streaming platforms this month.
Tom's Picks – Must-watch titles from RialtoView, the 100% Kiwi-owned streaming platform.
Don't miss future episodes and updates:
Facebook: @viewmagnz• Instagram: @viewmagnz• Website: viewmag.co.nz
Speakers
Tom Augustine – Host (@thaugustine)• Matthew Metcalfe – Producer and Screenwriter
Stay tuned for more conversations with the people shaping film, culture, and the arts.

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Darren Bevan, an entertainment writer specialising in film reviews, DVD releases, and gaming reviews.
Darren and Tom discuss May blockbusters, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Mortal Kombat I, The Mandalorian & Grogu, Bridget Jones’s Diary 25th Anniversary, Shrek 25th Anniversary, and Top Gun 40th Anniversary.
What to Expect
View Screen – In Cinemas This May
Best of Streaming – Coming Out in May
Stay Connected
Don’t miss next month’s updates — follow us on social media:
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Website: www.viewmag.co.nz
Speakers
Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
Darren Bevan  
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

Inspired by his journey walking New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail, director Bart Schrijver brings his personal experience of long-distance hiking to his latest immersive film, The North, shot in the Scottish Highlands.
The North arrives in cinemas across New Zealand from April 2.

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Rebecca Tansley, director of Tenor: My Name Is Pati.
 
Directed by Rebecca Tansley, TENOR: My Name Is Pati is a feature documentary that follows Pene Pati’s story from humble origins in the South Pacific to the world’s greatest opera stages. Weaving intimate family archive footage with behind-the-scenes observations and soaring performances, the film blends humour and heart to reveal how the power of family, cultural pride, determination, and resilience can yield extraordinary rewards when chasing an unlikely dream.
 
🎬 Tenor: My Name Is Pati is now showing in cinemas across New Zealand.
 
What to Expect
 
Rebecca Tansley on her creative journey bringing Tenor: My Name Is Pati to life
Tenor: My Name Is Pati reveals what the applause politely omits: persistence.
Pene Pati reminds us that Pacific ancestors were voyagers who set out with nothing but hope—no proof, no guarantees—courage as inheritance.
 
View Screen – In Cinemas in April
 
Best of Streaming – Coming Out in April
 
 
Stay Connected
Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:
Facebook: @viewmagnz
Instagram: @viewmagnz
Website: www.viewmag.co.nz
Speakers:
Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
Rebecca Tansley
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Taratoa Stappard and Ariāna Osborne to discuss their new film, Mārama.
Mārama tells the story of a young Māori woman lured to Victorian England under false pretenses, and her fight to hold on to her identity. The film follows a young Māori wāhine’s journey to the north of England in the mid-1800s as she seeks information about her family.
It is the feature film debut of director Stappard, who was born in Aotearoa New Zealand but has spent most of his life based in the UK.
Ariāna Osborne stars as Mary Stephens, the young woman at the centre of the film. She says it was a role she knew she had to play.
🎬 Mārama is now showing in cinemas across New Zealand.
What to Expect• Taratoa Stappard on his creative journey bringing Mārama to life• The idea of placing a Māori wāhine character outside of Aotearoa• Ariāna Osborne on starring as Mary Stephens and sharing how she landed the role
 
View Screen
 
Oscar 2026 Special – Tom’s Top 10 Favourites and Who Could Win the Oscar
 
Stay Connected
Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:
Facebook: @viewmagnz
Instagram: @viewmagnz
Website: www.viewmag.co.nz
Speakers:
Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

Welcome to this month’s episode of Point of View! In Episode 15, host Tom Augustine takes a look back at the best films of 2025, sharing his top picks and some of the standout moments that made this year so memorable in cinema. From unexpected surprises to crowd favorites, we’ll highlight the must-sees for the holiday season and give you plenty of ideas for Christmas and New Year viewing.
A huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of Point of View this year — your support and feedback make these conversations possible. So grab your headphones, get comfy, and join us as we celebrate the best of 2025 on screen.
Happy Holidays, and let’s dive in!
 
What to Expect
Best of 2025
Highlights and notable guesses from this year
Must-sees for Christmas and New Year, plus what’s coming in 2026
 
View Screen – Best Xmas/New Year Films
December:
Notes from a Fish
Eternity
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Nuremberg
Twiggy
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
Ella McCay
Atropia
Avatar: Fire and Ash
History of Sound
Father Mother Sister Brother
The Housemaid
Anaconda
Not Only Fred Dagg
Rental Family
January:
Song Sung Blue
Christy
Primate
Sentimental Value
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Hamnet
Is This Thing On?
Marty Supreme
Mercy
Nouvelle Vague
The Secret Agent
Return to Silent Hill
H is for Hawk
It Was Just an Accident
Send Help
The Choral
 
 
Best of Streaming – Coming Out
 
December:
Oh, What Fun
Jay Kelly
Predators
Fallout S2
Stranger Things Finale
 
January:
The RIP
Shrinking S3
Bridgerton S4
 
 
 
Stay Connected
Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:
Facebook: @viewmagnz
Instagram: @viewmagnz
Website: www.viewmag.co.nz
Speakers:
Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker Rob Sarkies to discuss his powerful new film Pike River currently the #1 film in New Zealand.
Based on the tragic 2010 Pike River Mine disaster, the film follows the years-long fight for justice led by Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm), whose husband and son were among the 29 men who lost their lives.
🎬 Pike River is now showing in cinemas across New Zealand.
 
What to Expect
Hear Rob Sarkies (Director) share his creative journey bringing Pike River to life• Discover how research, preparation, and emotional storytelling shaped the film• Learn why being grounded in place and connected to real people makes a story resonate. “You start with a feeling,”
View on Screen in November
TERROR-FI Fest:
Bugonia• Sisu 2• Primate• Keeper• Predator: Badlands• The Running Man• We Bury the Dead• Deathgasm 2• Nirvanna the Band: The Show – The Movie• Legend of Ochi• Familiar Touch• Now You See Me Now You Don’t• Wicked For Good• Die My Love• Nuremberg• The Golden Spurtle• Zootopia 2• Train Dreams• Jay Kelly
 
Best of Streaming Coming Out
Frankenstein• Pluribus• Left-Handed Girl• Nouvelle Vague• Stranger Things 5
 
View Box:
Rialto Channel Presents – The Surfer, Premieres November 8, 8:30pm
The Intrepid British & Irish Film Festival 2025 is now underway across New Zealand, running from 29 October to 19 November. It brings together a curated selection of standout films from the UK and Ireland, with screenings in cities nationwide and a chance to see acclaimed premieres and genre‑highlights on the big screen.
Stay Connected
Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:
Facebook: @viewmagnz
Instagram: @viewmagnz
Website: www.viewmag.co.nz
Speakers
Tom Augustine - @thaugustine
Rob Sarkies - @Pikeriverfilm
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!