GURL

GURL is a 2020 New Zealand short film directed, written and produced by Mika X.[2][3] The film premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival as part of the "Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2020" selection curated by Leo Koziol and Craig Fasi.[4] GURL tells a story of Carmen Rupe experience in the context of being both Maori and LGBT: "The infamous Māori Drag Queen Carmen 'Gurl' finally accepts her-true-self when she falls in love with a fading rugby star on an ill-fated night in New Zealand 1975."[5][6] This short film is a prequel to the feature film "The Book of Carmen" which has been in pre-production since the release of GURL.[7][8]

GURL
Film poster
Directed byMika X
Written byMika X
Produced byMika X
Georgina Allison Conder
Philippa Campbell
StarringJay Tewake
Brady Peeti
Jackie Clarke
Regan Taylor
Aaron Ward[1]
CinematographyDarryl Ward
Edited byAnastasia Doniants
Music byMika Haka
Production
company
Mika Haka Foundation
Distributed byIndependent
Release date
  • 26 July 2020 (2020-07-26) (New Zealand International Film Festival)
Running time
20 minutes
CountryNew Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Budget$380,000

Plot

GURL is about night of the life of Carmen Rupe. While she is working the streets in the evening of K road, Carmen lives in a fantasy as a younger transgender woman "Gurl", working as a sex worker, waiting for her White Knight to take her away. When the white knight isn't what he makes out to be, Gurl escapes a violent. While she collects herself, an unexpected person comes to her aid, A dying All Black. The two spend an evening together as they fall in love.

Cast
  • Jay Tewake as Gurl / Young Carmen
  • Jackie Clarke as Sapphire
  • Brady Peeti as Gypsy
  • Regan Taylor as Ed
  • Aaron Ward as White Knight
  • Mika X as Carmen
  • Rosanna Raymond as Mystik Maiden
  • Ramon Te Wake as Mystik Ra
  • Amanaki Prescott as Mystik Ama
  • Amanduh La Hoare as Lofty Queen
  • Danielle Hayes as Terracotta Blade
  • Whetu Fala as Whaea
  • Richie Cattell as Rugby Lad

Credits
Director
  • Directed and Written by: Mika X
Producers
  • Executive Producer: Mika X
  • Consulting Producer: Georgina Allison Conder
  • Consulting Producer: Philippa Campbell
  • Line Producer: Lance Loughlin
  • Associate Producer: Alex Plumb
Music department
  • Music Composers: Mark Dennison
  • Music Composers: Penny Dodd
  • Music Producer and Mastered by: Alan Jansson
  • Music Manager: Benjamin Thomas Watt
Design
  • Production Design: Shaun Dooley
Sound Department
  • Sound Recordists: Tipene Rogers
  • Sound Recordists: Mark Storie
Editing
  • Editor: Anastasia Doniants
  • Editing Studio: Department of post

Releases

The film premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival at ASB Waterfront Theatre on 26 July 2020. The film was also be available to watch online until 2 August.[9] The film was screened in the first weekend of August at Rialto Cinema Tauranga, Monterey Howick Cinemas in Auckland, Regent cinema in Dunedin, Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth and Roxy Cinema in Wellington.[10]

Soundtrack

Single
"What Kind Of Coffee Do You Like?"
Single by Jay Te Wake, Jackie Clarke & Brady Peeti
from the album GURL Original Short Film Soundtrack
ReleasedJuly 17, 2020 (2020-07-17)
Recorded2019–2020
StudioUptown Studio
GenreSoundtrack Musical
Length2:26
LabelPatangaroa Entertainment Ltd
Composer(s)Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison
Lyricist(s)Mika Haka
Producer(s)Alan Jansson
GURL Original Short Film Soundtrack track listing
12 What Kind of Coffe Do You Like?

Track listing
Digital download[11]
  1. "What Kind Of Coffee Do You Like?" – 2:26

Album
GURL Original Short Film Soundtrack[12][13]
Soundtrack album by
Mika Haka & The cast of GURL
ReleasedJuly 24, 2020 (2020-07-24)
Recorded2019–2020
StudioUptown Studios
GenreSoundtrack Musical
Length46:37
LabelPatangaroa Entertainment Ltd
ProducerAlan Jansson

All tracks are written by Mika Haka

No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."I Te Wa"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonBrady Peeti & The cast1:29
2."The Lonely All Black"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonRegan Taylor1:28
3."MELANCOLY" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 1:35
4."Mirror Mirror on the wall"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonJackie Clarke & Gail Tipene4:59
5."Room 1334"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonRosanna Raymond feat. Jackie Clarke & Gail Tipene4:14
6."Himi Hendrix" Penny Dodd and Mark DennisonNeil Watson1:00
7."Eggs, Baked Beans, Rainbow"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonFrankie Stevens feat. Jackie Clarke & Gail Tipene0:47
8."Shake it up baby"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonGail Tipene4:03
9."Mambo Fantasy"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonMika Haka1:24
10."Hawaiian Love Duet"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonJay Te Wake & Regan Taylor0:38
11."In The Morning" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 0:49
12."What Kind of Coffe Do You Like?"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonJay Te Wake, Jackie Clarke & Brady Peeti feat. The Cast2:26
13."I Ta Wa (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 1:29
14."The Lonely All Black (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 1:28
15."Mirror Mirror on the Wall (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 4:59
16."Room 1334 (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 4:13
17."Eggs, Baked Beans, Rainbow (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 0:48
18."Shake it up baby (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 4:04
19."Mambo Fantasy"Mika HakaPenny Dodd and Mark DennisonJackie Clarke1:29
20."Hawaiian Love Duet (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 0:37
21."What Kind Of Coffee Do You Like? (Instrumental)" Penny Dodd and Mark Dennison 2:26

Reception

Critical response

Since the release of GURL in 2020, the film has maintained a review rating of 9.5 stars on IMDB in 2022.[14]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
NZIFF August 2, 2020 Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts Best Film Award Mika X Nominated [15]
Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts CineMāori Audience Award Won
Wairoa Māori Film Festival October 25, 2020 Whenua Jury - Best Māori Director (Short Film) Won
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival
(FILMS OF THE MONTH – JAN-FEB 2021)		 March 17, 2021 Best LGBT Won [16]
Outstanding Achievement Award Won
Brazil International Monthly Film Festival September 2021 Best Actor For Median Length Film Jay Tewake Won [17]
California Indies Film and Script Awards January 2022 Best LGBTQ Film Mika X Won [18]

References
  1. "GURL". Kiriata. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  2. "World Premiere Of GURL, A New Film By Mika X In Whānau Mārama: NZ International Film Festival". Scoop. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  3. "DWC Mika Haka Artist". Waatea News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  4. "GURL teaser for Carmen biopic". Waatea News. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  5. "Spy: The legendary drag queen and the mystery All Black". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  6. "GURL new film directed by Mika X to World Premiere in Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival". The Big Idea. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  7. "MIKA HAKA'S GURL TO PREMIERE AT NZ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NEXT WEEK". Gay Express. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  8. "New Short Film "Gurl"". Te Hiku Media. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  9. "New Zealand International Film Festival program" (PDF). New Zealand International Film Festival. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  10. "Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2020". Eventfinda. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  11. "What Kind of coffee do you like". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  12. "GURL". Muzic. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  13. "GURL SOUNDTRACK". Soundtrack Tracklist. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  14. "IMDB profile 2022". IMDB. 21 April 2022. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  15. "GURL Wins Audience Award". Big Idea. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  16. "FILMS OF THE MONTH – JAN-FEB 2021". CICFF. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  17. "Brazil International Monthly Film Festival September winners". Brazil International Monthly Film Festival. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  18. "First Edition Winners". California Indies Film and Script Awards. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
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