Along with the development of society and technology, the New Zealand cinema has its specific style and the way of telling the story. The New Zealand film industry provided a propelling by the founding of the New Zealand Film Commission in 1978, which encouraged the local filmmakers to contribute their creations to the local or worldwide easily. There are many of the successful New Zealand directors influenced by this unique cultural and social background, for example, Peter Jackson, Scott Reynolds, Jane Campion, and Maori director Taika Waititi. This blog- like journal article will provide some information to introduce the film 'Eagle vs Shark'(2007) by Taika Waititi; introduce this feature film director; illustrate the film presentation; and comparing with other countries' film industry, the similarities and differences will be discussed. Firstly, some of the information about the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) will be illustrated. The film Eagle vs Shark(2007) is a New Zealand comedy and romantic film released in 2007. The film director is Taika Waititi. He is the screenplay writer as well. This film is the tale about the eccentric young boy and girl trying to find love. Lily, a shy Meaty Boy fast-food cashier who oddly attracted to the Jarrod, the person who has the social-awkward and neurotic-like personalities. In a coincidence, Lily attends to Jarrod's costume party, which they are fall in love after the party. Then , they start a journey that travels to Jarrod's hometown. Lily has to deal with the weird family and her romance. This film was not only produced by the New Zealand Film Commission but also contributed by Unison Films and Whenua Films (IMDb, nd). They are all the New Zealand local film production companies, which we can regard this film as pure local funded. However,this film received disappointment at the box office. The budge of this film was around 1.8 million New Zealand Dollars (estimates 1.35 million American dollars) (Cubis, 2019), and received only nearly 1.3 million dollars worldwide (Box Office Mojo, nd), leaving the film producers with poor returns. I think the reason why it was filmed is because of the money. The director Taika Waititi's short filmTwo Cars, One Night (2004) was earned the Best Short Film nomination of Academy Award in 2004, which makes him famous among the film critics. This caused him easier to collect money from individual film production companies and funded by the government (Dawson, 2007). Therefore, he was made the film Eagle vs Shark(2007) quickly. Another reason the film could be released is culture transmission. I am going to discuss this factor in the later section. Secondly, the producers and actors will be introduced in this section. Taika Waititi, I have to say, he is one of the directors I like the most from my film study. He was the feature director who can expertly tell the story in an extraordinary way. He is skillful for makes comedy, romantics, and horror-comedy. He always inserts uncorrelated elements or combines different kinds of things in the film. For example, he uses comic and humorous ways to demonstrate the epic Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Thor: Ragnarok (2017), which provides audiences a fresh view of this tragic and heroic story as a funny and light-hearted fantasy film. He made a filmHunt for Wilder People (2016), he turned this family film into a comic, crazy road adventure film, and received huge positive comments. In addition, he often makes himself the cameo appearance in his own film. For example, he plays the role of Adolf Hitler in his film Jojo Rabbit (2019); he did motion capture and made dub for the character Korg in film Thor: Ragnarok (2017); he also was the protagonist in his television drama What We Do in the Shadows(2014). It is obvious that recently he contributed to the American film industry deeply. According to Mast and Kawin (2011), “The most important filmmakers from New Zealand were from New Zealand and did their major work in England or the United States (p.552). This way, Taika Waititi as a foreign film director who conveys the New Zealander's aspects to the western film industry, which brought Hollywood cinema more diverse film contents. When I was watching the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) , there is a familiar face appears in the second half part of the film. That is Rachel House, she played Nancy in this film. She also participated in most of Taika Waititi's films but only played the supporting actor's roles. For example, the boy's Aunty in the film Boy(2010), the child welfare service officer in Hunt for Wilder People (2016), and the Grandmaster's bodyguard in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Although she was playing a lot of the insignificant roles, she acted perfectly in each minor role. Further , “[Jemaine] Clement has had an equally longstanding partnership with” Taika Waititi (Robinson, 2015, para. 1). He was playing the role of Jarrod in the film Eagle vs Shark (2007). They were worked together for the television drama Wellington Paranormal (2018), and both the television version and the movie What We Do in the Shadows (2014; 2019). Thirdly, the presentation of the film Eagle vs Shark(2007) will be illustrated. Taika Waititi employs the stop motion animation technic to strengthen the main storyline. The two leftover apples are reflecting on their relationship during the film proceed, which is representing well. The rotten apple and the leftover apple are the signifiers , which imply the unsound behaviors and mental defects in their relationship. The stop motion animation has also improved the film in an ornamental and artistic way. In addition, the film contains the indigenous culture in the content which conveying it through audience point of view. Bartlett (2007) in his article argues that Eagle vs Shark(2007) is a film that takes a general view at people's misfortune through the lens of human ridiculousness with the firm foundation of human emotion. The director Taika Waititi stated the reason he made this film, he says that he created this film is “about giving those who go unnoticed in life a chance to shine on the big screen” (Waititi, 2007). Therefore, we see the New Zealand indigenous film director has the social responsibility to let the audience focus on the vulnerable normal people within the society, which is the way to deliver the local culture to the audience. The New Zealand filmmaker, especially Maori people sees “certain entities as more important and intrinsic to their cultures than others, they occupy different social and economic realities” (Thornley, 2011, p . 116). As the Maori people,Taika Waititi was trying to introduce his Maori culture to the audience through the film implicitly. We can find many Maori signs and Maori Whare as the background in the film. He even created the Maori- European family and showed the Maori family's daily behaviors and rituals in the film. Further, I found that the use of language or dialogue of Eagle vs Shark is quite interesting. I can see the Taika Waititi inserted many of the classic dialogues from different Western films. For example, Damon talks to Lily through the phone says: 'Hello, this is Bond, James Bond. Please leave a message, shaken not stirred.' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back '. This is a tagline from the filmWe can find many Maori signs and Maori Whare as the background in the film. He even created the Maori- European family and showed the Maori family's daily behaviors and rituals in the film. Further, I found that the use of language or dialogue of Eagle vs Shark is quite interesting. I can see the Taika Waititi inserted many of the classic dialogues from different Western films. For example, Damon talks to Lily through the phone says: 'Hello, this is Bond, James Bond. Please leave a message, shaken not stirred.' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back'. This is a tagline from the filmWe can find many Maori signs and Maori Whare as the background in the film. He even created the Maori- European family and showed the Maori family's daily behaviors and rituals in the film. Further, I found that the use of language or dialogue of Eagle vs Shark is quite interesting. I can see the Taika Waititi inserted many of the classic dialogues from different Western films. For example, Damon talks to Lily through the phone says: 'Hello, this is Bond, James Bond. Please leave a message, shaken not stirred.' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back'. This is a tagline from the filmFurther, I found that the use of language or dialogue of Eagle vs Shark is quite interesting. I can see the Taika Waititi inserted many of the classic dialogues from different Western films. For example, Damon talks to Lily through the phone says: 'Hello , this is Bond, James Bond. Please leave a message, shaken not stirred.' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back'. This is a tagline from the filmFurther, I found that the use of language or dialogue of Eagle vs Shark is quite interesting. I can see the Taika Waititi inserted many of the classic dialogues from different Western films. For example, Damon talks to Lily through the phone says: 'Hello , this is Bond, James Bond. Please leave a message, shaken not stirred.' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back'. This is a tagline from the film' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back'. This is a tagline from the film' It is obvious that this dialogue comes from James Bond films around the 1950s to recent years. Jarrod says to Lily, 'I' be back'. This is a tagline from the filmThe Terminator (1984). I was found that the little girl from Eagle vs Shark does Travolta's dance move from the film Pulp Fiction (1994), which is the famous and symbolic element in Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction (1994). Also, I was found the not obvious sitting for this film, which is the A Clockwork Orange (1971) poster hangs on the scene Jarrod welcome Lily to the party at the doorway (I made the screenshot below). I assume all these plots were the Taika Waititi's greeting to all the senior film directors. It is also the sign of cultural fusion between New Zealand and Western countries. Yet, compared with western films especially American Hollywood cinema, the film Eagle vs Shark(2007), the differences have appeared. First, according to Maltby (2013), “we shall look not only at how movies work formally and aesthetically but also at their culture function as consumable goods in a capitalist economy” (p.7) . although Eagle vs Shark(2007) presents vivid New Zealand original and local love story features, as Taika Waititi states 'indigenous people should be telling their own story' and 'making themselves part of the culture and really learning about it, instead of someone else from another culture coming in and telling our stories…' (Erbland, 2018, para.6), it is lacking the tremendous plot changes. Lily and Jarrod, don't have outstanding love, they have no proper date or dinner, and they don't wear beautiful clothes. They even feel luxurious when they are going to the movies. these just remind me that Taika Waititi's statement of the purpose of making this film, which is just reflecting the normal couple's life in the audience's mind. However, this is the opposite theme in Hollywood romantic comedy films. In conclusion,This blog-like journal article analyzed the New Zealand film industry, using the film Eagle vs Shark as an example, illustrates the unique presentation of the film, and comparing it with other countries' film industry, the similarities, and differences of the romantic comedy films. Overall, the New Zealand film industry is ongoing developing. Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics, which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.using the film Eagle vs Shark as an example, illustrates the unique presentation of the film, and comparing it with other countries' film industry, the similarities, and differences of the romantic comedy films. Overall, the New Zealand film industry is ongoing developing. Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics , which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.using the film Eagle vs Shark as an example, illustrates the unique presentation of the film, and comparing it with other countries' film industry, the similarities, and differences of the romantic comedy films. Overall, the New Zealand film industry is ongoing developing. Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics , which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.and comparing it with other countries' film industry, the similarities, and differences of the romantic comedy films. Overall, the New Zealand film industry is ongoing developing. Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained in their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics, which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.and comparing it with other countries' film industry, the similarities, and differences of the romantic comedy films. Overall, the New Zealand film industry is ongoing developing. Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained in their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics, which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics , which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.Their feature film especially film made by Maori-dominant filmmakers are contained their own social and cultural background, which deliver the national identity worldwide. Although the film Eagle vs Shark (2007) made a failure in box office internationally, it was praised by film critics , which earned the reputation for Maori filmmaker Taika Waititi globally. Hence, New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on.New Zealand's lifestyle and cultural background being known by more and more audience from then on. Filmography A Clockwork Orange. (1971). Stanley Kubrick. (Dir.). Warner Bros, Polaris Productions & Hawk Films. Warner Home Video. (DVD, 2001). Boy. (2010). Taika Waititi. (Dir.). Whenua Films, Unison Films & New Zealand Film Production Fund. Vertigo Releasing (All Media, 2017). Eagle vs Shark. (2007). Taika Waititi. (Dir.). New Zealand Film Commission, Unison Films & Whenua Films. Atlantic Film (DVD, 2008). Hunt for Wilder People. (2016). Taika Waititi. (Dir.). Piki Films, Defender Films & Curious Film. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. (Blu-ray & DVD, 2016). Jojo Rabbit (2019) . Taika Waititi. (Dir.). TSG Entertainment, Piki Films & Defender Films. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. (All Media, 2019). Pulp Fiction. (1994). Quentin Tarantino (Dir.). Miramax, A Band Apart & Jersey Films. Lionsgate Home Entertainment. (Blu-ray & DVD, 2011). The Terminator. (1984). James Cameron. (Dir. ). Cinema `84, Euro Film Funding, Hemdale & Pacific Western Productions. MGM Home Entertainment. (DVD, 2001). Thor: Ragnarok. (2017). Taika Waititi. (Dir.). Walt Disney Pictures & Marvel Studios. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. (Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray & DVD, 2018). Two Cars, One Night. (2004). Taika Waititi. (Dir.). Blueskin Films Ltd, Defender Films & New Zealand Film Commission . What We Do in the Shadows.(2014). Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi. (Dir.). Unison Films, Defender Films, Funny or Die & New Zealand Film Commission. Paramount Home Entertainment. (Blue-ray & DVD, 2015). What We Do in the Shadows (2019) . Jemaine Clement (Dir.). FX Productions, Two Canoes Pictures & 343 Incorporated. Walt Disney Television. (All Media, 2019). Reference Bartlett, M. (2007). Animal Instincts: 'Eagle vs Shark' . Metro Magazine: Media & Education Magazine , (155), 26. Box Office Mojo. (nd). Eagle vs Shark. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved from: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3444475393/weekend/ Cubis, S. (2019). 'Eagle Vs Shark' is New Zealand's best movie of all time. SBS. Retrieved from:https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/article/2019/04/08/eagle-vs-shark-new-zealands-best-movie-all-time Dawson, N. (2007). Taika Waititi, Eagle VS Shark. Filmmaker. Retrieved from: https://filmmakermagazine.com/1268-taika-waititi-eagle-vs-shark/#.Xo_B4lNLgWp Erbland, K. (2018). Taika Waititi says 'Hollywood is running out of ideas ', but not diverse filmmakers – TIFF. Indie Wire. Retrieved from: https://www.indiewire.com/2018/09/taika-waititi-hollywood-diverse-filmmakers-tiff-1202002607/ IMDb. (nd) Eagle vs Shark. IMDb . Retrieved from: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0494222/ Maltby, R. (2013). Hollywood Cinema.(2nd ed.) Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishing. Mast, G. & Kawin, B. (2011). A Short History of the Movies. (11th ed.) Hoboken, NJ: Pearson. Robinson, T. (2015) . Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi on their years-in-the-making vampire comedy What We Do in The Shadows. The Dissolve. Retrieved from: https://thedissolve.com/features/interview/923-jemaine-clement-and- taika-waititi-on-their-years-i/ Thornley, D. (2011). 'From a Maori point of view to look at a Maori film' Maori New Zealanders talk about watching indigenous films. Journal of International Communication , 17 ( 2), 107-120. Waititi, T. (2007). Eagle vs Shark . Optimum.
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