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New Zealand, 1998

Director/Writer: Anthony McCarten
Co-writer: Greg McGee
Producer: Philippa Campbell
Executive Producers: Chris Brown, Chris Hampson
Director of Photography/Camera: Simon Riera
Editor: John Gilbert


With: Danielle Cormack (Chrissy / Carol), Tim Balme (Ken), Rima Te Wiata (Jen), Brian Sergent (Brian), Jodie Dorday (Lyn), Karl Urban (Paul), Donna Akersten (Joyce)

35mm, 90 minutes, M-Contains sex scenes & offensive language

Twenty-year old Carol Dunn seems all set to win a surprise medal for New Zealand in the Olympic Pool. Back home, along with the rest of the nation, her family is caught up in the euphoria and nervously awaits the arrival of television director Brian Stanning. No one is prepared for the riot of recrimination and revelation that erupts during the build up to the fateful broadcast. Finally the television pictures that emerge from the Dunn household moments after Carol’s amazing feat, are, in spite of everything, glorious. Together, with Carol, beamed into their lives via satellite, the Dunn’s celebrate the awful, awesome triumph that is family life.

“...Via Satellite is an effervescent, deftly paced and hilarious gem which will, if there is any justice, take its place alongside Geoff Murphy’s marvellous road riot, Goodbye Pork Pie, among our best indigenous comedies ... McCarten, an unobtrusive and unpossessive director, has the benefit of a uniformly wonderful cast” — Peter Calder, “A Star is born”, Weekend Herald, 10/10/1998

“A fine ensemble of eccentric Kiwi characters - not caricatures - makes this tale of trans-global fraternal rivalry and miscommunication a hilarious ad touching delight that treats suburban Kiwiana with considerable respect [...] Via Satellite comes as a breath of fresh air to audiences starved for local product. Without pretension to high art or pandering to a particular demographic, Via Satellite is proof that we can tell stories that are as funny, moving and as well-crafted as anything Hollywood or Britain can muster, and we can do it on a shoestring.” — Matthew Grainger, “Via Satellite proves we can match Hollywood’s humour”, The Dominion, 16/10/1998