On Friday the 18^th the premiere for Fergus Morunga’s original film “The Good, The Bad and the Elderly” was held in the College auditorium. This film is the culmination of an idea that Fergus had over two years ago and he has worked on it steadily for the last 24 months, in spite of the difficulties created by the pandemic. The plot centres around a Russian gangster who buys an old age home, intending to use it for criminal purposes, but is foiled by a group of wily and sharp-witted elderly residents. It is a comedy which features several professional actors, and numerous boys and staff and was filmed entirely on boys’ phones and edited on their laptops.

 In order to make this film, Fergus recruited the assistance of the New Zealand Police, Skyline Aviation, Thomson’s Suits, Summerset in the Orchard, Mercedes-Benz Napier and the Hastings’ District Council who were all incredibly generous and helpful. He also persuaded professional actors Teresa Woodham, Brigid McVeigh and Paula Jones (Director of award-winning documentary “Hip Hop-eration”) to get involved and their expertise and contacts were crucial for the success of the movie. Teresa Woodham who played Ruth in the film said at the premiere that Fergus was as good a director as many she had worked with professionally. Even national news personality, Paddy Gower, was recruited for the project when he came to Lindisfarne to watch his son play cricket in a sporting exchange!

One of the most demanding scenes to film was the crowd scene in which numerous residents of the old age home invade the mansion of the Russian gangster. Fergus co-ordinated and arranged the scene with incredible attention to detail and created one of the highlights of the film. He was also responsible for the cinematography of the entire movie which is quite outstanding for a 14 year-old. At the premiere, Rector, Mr Hakeney paid tribute to Fergus for displaying the College value of courage in taking on this complex and difficult task and seeing it through to completion.

Numerous boys were involved in the film, either acting or on the technical side. In particular, the Ravla brothers, Jiten and Jaimil, and March Sukanantathan spent many hours filming and helping with the editing. Many other boys were involved in acting roles including Sam McPherson as the Russian gangster, Ben Gray, Jock Lee, Nathan Campbell, Jacob Porter, Ben Currie, Harrison Quayle, George Chambers, Hayden O’Sullivan, Jack Morrison, Quinn Nichols, Monty Hobbs-Turner and Lachie Swanson.  Several staff members, including the Rector had cameo roles in the film.

At the premiere, Fergus made an eloquent speech thanking everyone who was involved in the movie: “I’ve met many great people that I’ll know forever and had many great experiences while creating this film. I’m just absolutely blown away with how far this project has come and everything that has happened. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I have received from the community. People from all around New Zealand have given up their time and effort for this project and have travelled long distances for filming and the creation of this project along with them being here tonight.”

Congratulations to Fergus and everyone who was involved in the film. It has been a great success and a wonderful way for the College to connect with the wider community.

Article added: Thursday 24 February 2022