Custom made hat by Jeff Higginbotham of Higgz. Photo taken by Andrew Harvey Jan 2008 in NZ.

Check out the very cool photo of me in Andrew's awesome coffee table book called "Aim High". I am honored to be in this limited edition book!

http://www.aimhighexhibition.co.nz

LOS ANGELES, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 13, 2005 -- Film director Eric Tretbar, winner of the Berlin Film Fest audience award and Independent Spirit Award nominee, is once again "someone to watch." Tretbar follows up his Berlin Forum-winner, "THE USUAL," and Sundance Channel debut, "SNOW," with two new feature films: "GIGI 12x5" and "THE HORRIBLE FLOWERS." Both films feature hot garage rock soundtracks...

"THE HORRIBLE FLOWERS" (now in post-production) stars Emily Cline ("IN THE COMPANY OF MEN"), and Rena Owen ("ONCE WERE WARRIORS," "STAR WARS II," "STAR WARS III"). "THE HORRIBLE FLOWERS" is a rock and roll Orpheus story about a veteran garage band leader who travels to the underworld of her past to resurrect the life and love she left for dead.

Actress Rena Owen is working on her own film project.

Owen, who played battered but unbowed Beth Heke in the award-winning 1995 movie Once Were Warriors to Temuera Morrison's fearsome Jake the Muss, has been working on a movie script for Heretaunga Pat Baker's 1975 work Behind the Tattooed Face.

Owen said it would be up to eight years before the movie reached the screen.

"We need US$30 million (NZ$43 million)."

Getting funding for the project was one of the reasons Owen now lives in Los Angeles but despite the film's challenges, she remained confident.

"This was the first historical novel written by a Maori. Film makers have tried to make it every decade [since it was written]."

As well as a slew of lower budget and independent films, Owen has also been very visible as Senator Nee Alavar in Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and as Taun We in Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, also featuring Morrison as bounty hunter Jango Fett.

Her latest role is as a Courtney Love-type "outrageous rock and roll" character in the independent production The Horrible Flowers.

On Monday, she will be attending the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award to director George Lucas. Steven Spielberg is scheduled to present the award to his longtime friend.

In addition, Rena and her script consultant are working hard on the next draft of "Behind the Tattooed Face".

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2005, 4 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Theatre 1, in Los Angeles. FREE Admission!

IN PERSON: Actress Rena Owen, plus other special guests

See the flyer for details or reserve your seats on the VC FilmFest web site.

With 35 kiwi oscar nominations in four years the who's who of New Zealand film turned out to celebrate.

"We're kind of flavour of the month and I hope it's going to last longer than a month because we've got Narnia and King Kong in the next couple of years - we've got Taika at the oscars - we've got a lot of good films in the make so we've started a momentum that we hope will continue," says actress Rena Owen.

"They're very receptive to us downunder and they think too if you're an actor in New Zealand you're doing it for the love of it so they respect you and they still remember once were warriors so they think we're tough," says actor Dean O'Gorman.

New Zealand's oscar nomination team has been completed with the arrival of Weta Workshop envoy Joe Letteri, a nominee for the visual effects of 'i robot'.

"You never take it for granted this one was a surprise like i said it was a lot of hard work in a really short period of time and it was really nice that the academy recognised it because there were some really good films this year," says Letteri.

Letteri joins the other kiwi oscar hopefuls - The makers of the nominated short film 'Two cars, one night', and 'Shrek 2' director Andrew Adamson. New Zealanders working in LA expect the success to continue.

"People in New Zealand are willing to tell original stories, people in Hollywood a lot of the time try to make the same movies because they think it's going to make money," says Actress Melanie Lynsky.

Watch the related video.

Ms. Owen, who starred in the 1995 movie “Once Were Warriors” and has appeared in Star Wars Episodes II and III, is one several persons from Oceania who will judge 20 films in competition. Another 17 films will be shown during the festival, but will not be in competition.

Ms. Owen, whose mother is European and whose father is New Zealand Maori and Scottish, began her acting career in the 1980s in London. She has since become one of the most well-known actresses from New Zealand following her role in “Once Were Warriors”.

She is one of 15 jury members for the film festival. She is joined by Walter Zweifel, Radio New Zealand International editor; Véronique Cayla, general manager of the Cannes Film Festival; Tia Bareth, the New Zealand governor general’s first secretary; and Octave Tonga, head of the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center in New Caledonia. Five personalities from French Polynesia are also jury members.

The jury is once again headed by Hervé Bourges, chairman of the Union of the French-Speaking Press and also known for having been chairman of the French High Audio-Visual Council after having been head of France-Télévisions.

Presenter/Interviewer: Jemima Garrett

Speakers: Rena Owen, New Zealand actor; Heremoana Ma'ama'atuaiahutapu, directo of culture, French Polynesian government

Listen to the interview

"We're excited at the news from the All Roads National Geographic indigenous film festival in Los Angeles that our patron board is now joined by Cliff Curtis and Rena Owen," says festival director Leo Koziol. "With the mana of these industry leaders, a unique energy is growing for an exciting event here in Wairoa next year."

Supporters of the first Maori Film Festival in Wairoa now include Nga Aho Whakaari (the national association of Maori film and television makers) and the New Zealand Writers Guild, who plan to host a Maori Screenwriters Hui alongside the festival. "It is hoped to have a Maori scriptwriting competition at the festival, with prizes for scripts in Maori and in English," said Mr. Koziol.

Over the long weekend the organising committee for the Wairoa Maori Film Festival held their inaugural hui in Nuhaka. "An incorporated society is to be established, under the banner of Te Ara Rautaki," explained Mr. Koziol. "Te Ara Rautaki means setting out a strategic path for a long-term future."

Executive Committee members are Leo Koziol (Chairman), Huia Koziol, Alan Chilcott, Huia Brown, Sonia Anderson, Desna Whaanga-Schollum, Tania Cotter, Doreen Taiapa, and Pauline Tangiora. "Our members bring a wealth of national and international experience and networks, with specialised skills in events management, marketing, branding, web design and film-making," says Mr. Koziol. "The stage is set for an exciting and successful event."

The theme for the inaugural festival is Mana Wairoa: The World Through a Maori Lens. The film programme is still in the early stages of planning, with the festival including historic and contemporary material. Current patrons include Merata Mita, Don Selwyn, Mayor Bob Harvey, Karen Sidney, Roger Donaldson, Witi Ihimaera, Dame Georgina Kirby, Derek Fox, Mika and Mayor Les Probert of Wairoa.

The Gaiety Cinema and Theatre in Wairoa has expressed their support for the festival and will make their venue available for the event. A film festival website has been set up, providing information about the festival and outlining the attractions that Wairoa has to offer — www.manawairoa.com.

“The goal will be to turn traditional perceptions of Wairoa (crime, poverty) on their head and make the town a centre for cultural creativity and renaissance,” said Mr Koziol. “This is something very positive for the community."

“It is for the locals as much as the tourists, to celebrate New Zealand’s unique culture and its achievements within the film industry.”

Comics Continuum has posted some comments from Rena about "Wicked Prayer":

Rena Owen, who plays a supporting role in The Crow: Wicked Prayer, told The Continuum that the film appears to be in good shape.

"I just talked to the director (Lance Mungia) last week, and he's really happy with it," Owen told The Continuum at last weekend's Wizard World Los Angeles.

The Crow: Wicked Prayer stars Edward Furlong in the lead role. The cast also includes David Boreanaz, Tara Reid and Dennis Hopper. The film was shot in Salt Lake City, Utah last summer.

Owen plays Mary, the wife of a preacher who is killed by the gangleader played by Boreanaz. Owen worked with Boreanaz before, guest-starring on Angel.

"Eddie's great and I think David is the epitome of a leading man," Owen said of her castmates.

Owen said she thought the first Crow movie was ground-breaking.

"It blew me away, kind of like the first Star Wars," she said. "Back then, it was really cutting-edge stuff."

There have been reports that Wicked Prayer might be a direct-to-video release, but Owen said she hasn't heard when or where the film will come out.

"I don't know," she said. "I just can't wait to see it."

Photos of the Lord of the Rings Oscar Party are also available.

Although she is listed as a guest at the Pittsburgh Comicon the same weekend, she will not be attending.

The Star Wars celebrities spent three days mingling with a large and delighted group of fans, including many in full costume. There was a Star Wars panel where the fans could ask questions of the guests regarding their film experiences. Saturday brought the main-stage events with Prowse, Mayhew, Baker, Bulloch, Carson, and de Aragon. The actors were even escorted by an "honor guard" consisting of Darth Vader flanked by Jango Fett, Imperial officers, and a garrison of stormtroopers.

The highlight of the weekend came as Carrie Fisher took the stage in a rare convention appearance. Looking very relaxed, the celebrated writer and actress was very candid and humorous about her life, her co-stars, her wardrobe, and of course the Star Wars movies. Serious at times, but mostly making light of her struggle with substance abuse and her famous mother Debbie Reynolds, Fisher drew laughs when she said, "Mom and crazy go hand in hand so, of course, I live next door to her." Another funny moment was when she told the crowd that her favorite Star Wars item is a shampoo bottle of herself. "I get to twist my head off and pour goo out of my neck. How can you beat that?" One of her favorite film moments occurred in Return of the Jedi, when she got to kill off Jabba the Hutt. Her only complaint was with the costume. "Apparently, there are no bras in space," she said. "The funny thing about the costume was I didn't get to speak except one line the whole time I wore it. I guess I can't speak without clothes!" Fisher still sees some of her Star Wars co-stars and director George Lucas often, mostly at Hollywood events.

No large gathering of Star Wars celebrities would be complete without a horde of enthusiastic fans in costume. This event was no exception, with large groups of stormtroopers, Jedi Knights, Imperial officers, Darth Vader, Jango Fett, and a variety of aliens. Attendees could imagine they were at the Mos Eisley cantina!

Andrew Herwitz's Film Sales Co. has picked up the North American sales rights for The Water Giant, a fantasy family film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Formerly titled Ogopogo, the movie tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who encounters a mythical monster, the trade paper reported.

The movie began an eight-week shoot April 21 on Lake Wakatipu in Queensland, New Zealand, with John Henderson directing. Giant stars Bruce Greenwood, Rena Owen and Daniel Magder. Barry Authors wrote the script. Rainer Mockert's Munich-based MBP and Authors' U.K. independent production outfit, BarryFilms, are producing the film, in association with Jim Henson's Creature Shop, which designed and created the titular creature, the trade paper reported.

In addition to acting, Rena Owen has been a writer, director and producer. Cast in Episode II, Owen has appeared in such films as What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, I'll Make You Happy and When Love Comes Along. Her role of Rix in Dance to My Song earned her multiple Australian film award nominations for Best Supporting Actress, while she won multiple film festival awards for Best Actress in Portugal, France, Canada and the U.S. for her role of Beth Heke in Once Were Warriors.

Best known for her portrayal of Beth Heke in the films Once Were Warriors and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, Owen is increasingly in demand as a film actor in the United States, where she is now based. She will return to the New Zealand stage for the first time in three years to play the part of Pearl in the New Zealand Festival commissioned play.

"Being a New Zealander, particularly a Maori, it's important for me personally to be part of this production," says Owen. "I'm always proud to be part of my country's history and Grace-Smith's play is a beautiful piece of writing."

Owen has had to turn down positions on the juries of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and the Santa Barbara Film Festival to take up the role in Haruru Mai at the Festival. New Zealand Festival organisers are delighted that Owen has agreed to be part of the Festival, particularly considering the lucrative and high profile film-work she is being offered in the United States this year.

Owen's latest American film, An All-American Girl, opens in Los Angeles on Monday. The film is based on the true life story of teacher Mary K Letourneau's love affair with a student, which hit headlines across the world several years ago. Convicted of rape, Letourneau is currently serving a prison sentence of 7 years in the United States. Owen stars as the student's mother in the film, which is expected to draw huge audiences across the United States.

Owen will begin rehearsals for Haruru Mai in Wellington in February but will have to return to the United States briefly to film a cameo on Gary Fleder's film The Imposter, starring Madeline Stowe and Gary Sinise. The cameo was created especially for Owen by the director.

"To me there's no question of what's more important," says Owen of her choice -- with such major commitments -- to return to New Zealand for the Festival. "For me this is about completing a circle. My first international arts festival in Wellingto was in 1990 with Jim Moriarty and for 10 years I've always known this was something I wanted to do. I also always wanted to work with (director) Colin McColl and it's a commitment to who I am and where I come from."

The New Zealand Festival also announced today that the cast of Haruru Mai will feature acclaimed New Zealand actor Katie Wolfe, Hone Katipa and Karl Drinkwater alongside one of New Zealand's most celebrated stage actors George Henare, in the lead role of Silas.

"I last worked with George in 1993 on the film Rapa Nui," says Owen, "and I'm rapt to be working with a man for whom I have so much respect."

In Haruru Mai, a World War II Maori Battalion soldier (Hanare) returns to his home town of Pukerata after 30 years of wandering to rest his conscience. He finds both love and heartbreak in Paloma (Wolfe), the daughter of a young Private shot and killed alongside him during the war.

1999 has been a busy year for Owen. As well as extensive film-related commitments she was a Jury Member at the USA Film Festival, Dallas Texas 1999 and has also had a number of drama teaching engagements, including directing workshops at Kumu Kaua, an indegenous drama school in Hawaii.

Haruru Mai is presented at the New Zealand Festival 2000 in association with New Zealand Post, with the assistance of Creative New Zealand.

The cast of the sequel--What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?--made a dramatic appearance at an Auckland cinema complex as they arrived to rousing applause from fans.

Rena Owen, who plays long-suffering Beth Heke, gave added sparkle to the night with a gemstone glistening in her navel.

As she and Temuera Morrison, with his girlfriend and former Shortland Street actress Angela Dotchin, led the way into the premiere at the Village 8 cinema in Newmarket they received a traditional Maori greeting from four warriors brandishing taiaha (clubs).

Politics also made an appearance, Auckland mayor Christine Fletcher saying the film would be a huge boost to the local movie industry.

"It's a fantastic achievement and people around the world are talking about this film before it has even hit cinema screens.

"There's huge expectation and hopefully it will lead to more films being made here in Auckland."

The film opens in cinemas across the country today.

He's now filming What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? which picks up Jake's story ten years later and tells of his search for redemption when his son becomes embroiled in a gang war.

The new film, based on Alan Duff's 1997 award-winning novel of the same name, is being directed by Alan Mune, and is shooting in Auckland till the end of October.

Rena Owen will also reprise her award-winning role as Beth.

Writer Alan Duff comments: "It seems people just can't get enough of these characters. It's great to be able to bring them to life again and with this strong script and phenomenal cast I am confident we will succeed."

In addition to Morrison and Owen, the cast includes Nancy Brunning (currently in When Love Comes), Edna Stirling and Julian Arahanga (who were in Once Were Warriors), Pete Smith (The Piano), and Clint Eruera making his screen debut.

Bill Gavin is producing, with John Barnett and Richard Sheffield as executive producers, for South Pacific Pictures and Polygram Filmed Entertainment in association with the New Zealand Film Commission.

Polygram are to distribute the film in New Zealand and Australia.

Beyond International are handling world sales.

She plays Katie, an international singing star, in Garth Maxwell's second feature When Love Comes Along.

The film is a night-time love story set in Auckland.

Katie was a star in the United States in the seventies - now she still has her fabulous looks and her voice and her sophistication. She needs to reinvent herself. So she flies home to New Zealand, to revisit her roots.

She moves in with Stephen (Simon Prast), her best friend and the only person she allows herself to lean on. They've rescued each other in the past. Perhaps they can save themselves one more time.

Stephen can't wait for her to arrive. He's been playing all her old hits, much to the bemusement of his younger friend Mark (Dean O'Gorman) who's a songwriter with heaps of potential.

But while Mark's interest is piqued by this star from Stephen's past, he's getting to know two outrageous and ambitious young musicians of the new generation. They're played by Sophia Hawthorne and Nancy Brunning.

Rena Owen's internationally acclaimed performance as Beth in Once Were Warriors won her the best actress award at the Montreal Film Festival. Since then she's been starring in a top-rating Australian television series titled Medivac, and in live theatre productions in Hawaii, Guam, and New Zealand.

She has also had a supporting role in Rolf de Heer's new Australian feature [Dance] Me To My Song (which will premiere at Cannes) and in Athina Tsoulis' I'll Make You Happy.

When Love Comes Along was written by Garth Maxwell, Rex Pilgrim and Peter Wells, and it is produced by Michele Fantl and Jonathan Dowling for MF Films, in association with the New Zealand Film Commission which is handling international sales.

The New Zealand film about domestic violence and hope in an impoverished Maori family was screened in the non-competition section of the Venice Film Festival on Thursday.

Critics are now comparing Owen to Oscar-winning actresses of the past.

Lindsay Shelton of the New Zealand Film Commission said a five-minute standing ovation followed the screening, which was attended by Owen and director Lee Tamahori.

"From what I hear, every teenage girl in Venice wants the Rena Owen look now," he said.

In the rave reviews for Once Were Warriors, Owen has been likened to some of the great European classical actresses.

Henri Behar, a critic for the French newspaper Le Monde, describes Owen as an antipodean Anna Magnani, a tempestuous Italian actress from the 1930s. Magnani won an Oscar as best actress in 1955 for her performance in The Rose Tattoo.

Another reviewer drew comparisons with Jeanne Moreau, considered by many to have been France's finest actress, from movies such as Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Jules et Jim.

Owen won best actress at the Montreal Film Festival last Monday, one of four top awards for the movie, including the Grand Prix of the Americas award for best film in the festival, and the Ecumenical Jury Prize for giving hope to victims of violence.

It also won the Air Canada award for best film by public vote, from more than 200 movies.

Cynthia Owen, Rena's mother, said she remembered Magnani and the comparison to her daugher was "awesome".

"Rena is so committed to New Zealand film, TV, Maori drama, all those things, so I'm absolutely delighted for her," she said.

Mr. Shelton said the ovation at the Venice Film Festival, which had the same standards as Cannes and Montreal, was important to continue the momentum of the success.

Once Were Warriors is scheduled for release in the North American market early next year.

Another New Zealand film, Heavenly Creatures directed by Peter Jackson, was scheduled to be screened in the competitive section at Venice this weekend.

The results of the competition will be announced on Tuesday.