Jubilee

A thoroughly satisfying slice of local life and lots of feel good fun

Jubilee, New Zealand, 2000

Director: Michael Hurst
Producer: Bill Gavin
Executive producers: John Barnett, Caterina de Nave
Writer: Michael Bennett, from the novel by Nepi Solomon
Director of photography: Leon Narbey
Editor: Eric De Beus
Production designer: Brett Schwieters
Costume designer: Lesley Burkes-Harding

With: Cliff Curtis (Billy Williams), Theresa Healy (Pauline Williams), Hori Ahipene (Potu Williams), Kevin Smith (Max Seddon), Jaime Passier-Armstrong (Lucille Williams), Charley Murphy Samau (Walter Williams), Marise Wipani (Sharyn), Taungaroa Emile (Tyron), Ross Duncan (Wallace), Vicky Haughton (Mary Taki), Eru Potaka-Dewes (Rangi Kaawa), Stephen Tozer (Mr. Crawford), Bruce Hopkins (Larry), Amiria Reriti (Minnie), Whetu Fala (Nefta)

35mm, 92 minutes, M–contains offensive language & violence

Watch the trailer for Jubilee (3.3MB; 1.56 minutes)

Jubilee is a funny, warm-hearted comedy set in heartland New Zealand. It is the story of Billy Williams, his family and the small town of Waimatua – the sweet potato capital of the world. Our hero Billy Williams may be hopeless, but he’s no loser. He’s a likeable guy who’s always volunteering to help out where he can, and he’s a great Dad to Lucille and Walter. But unfortunately he never finishes a job and is the world’s worst procrastinator – much to his wife Pauline’s dismay. Billy’s opportunity to redeem himself comes when Agnes Morrison, the driving force behind the Waimatua School 75th Jubilee, is killed in a tragic bovine semen extraction accident. Billy gets lumbered with the task and he’s determined to prove his worth as the new Jubilee Chairman. He’ll organize the mother of all Jubilees! Meanwhile, the impending celebration and the thought of those who will return to Waimatua forces Pauline to question the choices she has made in her life. While Billy fulfills his desire to be the big man around town, Pauline starts renovating herself – finishing all those uncompleted jobs the way she wants. A new woman is in the making…. For a small town in decline, the Jubilee gives everyone something to look forward to and Billy wins a new-found respect in Waimatua.

“The story has a simple, even classical, comedy arc and Hurst and writer Michael Bennett, working from Nepi Solomon’s novel, don’t try anything fancy bringing it to the screen. The absence of anything greatly original is one of the film’s chief virtues. It’s so genial and self-confident that it carries itself along. It’s buoyed up, too, by terrific performances. Curtis, who’s had a busy couple of years in America shrugs off the shackles of his many heavy parts and shows a delicate and tender touch. In his first lead role he’s both handsome and lovable, a genuine leading man in the making... Leon Narbey’s photography captures the essence of small-town New Zealand in wide shot and close-up. Jubilee is not without its flaws… but it’s a thoroughly satisfying slice of local life and lots of feel good fun.” Peter Calder, NZ Herald, 8 April 2000

“Watching Jubilee, I was strongly reminded of those shaggy dog Irish movies that New Zealanders love so much. Waimatua is filled to the brim with lovable, colourful characters and nothing much happens except for a couple of gags. If this story was being told with an Irish accent, I am sure Hoyts would have a hit on their hands. But a recent survey uncovered that we do not like watching New Zealand-made comedies as they make us feel embarrassed. If we hate watching this type of thing on free-to-air television, what hope is there of getting us to pay our movie dollars for it? And that really is a pity because Jubilee contains plenty of warm fuzzies about the joys of being a Kiwi.” — Christine Powley, Otago Daily Times, 17 April 2000.

“Michael Hurst’s warm and affectionate romantic comedy never loses its spark, remaining fresh, funny and unpredictable to the surprisingly bittersweet end... there’s a wicked, self-deprecating sense of humour lurking beneath the commercial veneer, and the warmth and tenderness with which Hurst treats his characters makes Jubilee a celebration you’ll be charmed to join in.” — Matthew Grainger, The Dominion, 20 April 2000

“Jubilee has a lot going for it: a stellar and experienced cast and crew; a strong producing team; a director with energy and a flair for working with actors; and a writer with a track record.” — Helene Wong, NZ Listener, 22 April 2000

Screenings: Jubliee screened on 23 January 2005; and on 30 May 2007 to honour director Michael Hurst in the Arts Foundation Laureates season.