Flat White Guy

Nice production values and cinematography, particularly the Muriwai evening bit. I liked the scope of the story and how it moved from city to coast - there was a real sense of travel and adventure. The ending felt satisfying, and your use of freeze frame worked well - it didn't feel forced. It's a shame you were disqualified - would have been my pick for 3 points.

Definitely would have been my pick if you guys weren't disqualified, the concept was hilarious and overall, the film was extremely well put together, hope you guys enter again next year!

The best film in it's heat. A boisterous kidnapping adventure that follows a spineless office-bitch's reluctant awakening at the hands of a car thief. The ending was emotive and fulfilling - nailed it.

Such a shame to see this one DQ Honestly National Finals material right there.

*Viewed from the Screening Room A vanilla office employee (FWG) leads a boring, uneventful life. While getting coffee for everyone else, the car he was in gets jacked and thus FWG finds himself kidnapped. The kidnapper seems to be an expert on life and so takes FWG on a journey of hopeful liberation. A nicely told story here, in general, that I'm sure looked great on the big screen, as production values were very high. The characters were well acted and there was a definate feeling of jounery in this. However, some things seemed a bit convenient - The kidnapper was in a hell of a hurry yet then stopped all of that for a leisurely lunch. He also seemed to forsake his own plans a bit too readily as he began his campaign to emancipate FWG. All the number crunching reminded me of "Rainman" and so if the purpose was feel some empathy for the lead - it didn't work for me. Despite this though, the film is well worth watching and I think it has a high replay value. Another tragic disqualification for 2011, too.

Nice production values and cinematography, particularly the Muriwai evening bit. I liked the scope of the story and how it moved from city to coast - there was a real sense of travel and adventure. The ending felt satisfying, and your use of freeze frame worked well - it didn't feel forced. It's a shame you were disqualified - would have been my pick for 3 points.

*Viewed from the Screening Room A vanilla office employee (FWG) leads a boring, uneventful life. While getting coffee for everyone else, the car he was in gets jacked and thus FWG finds himself kidnapped. The kidnapper seems to be an expert on life and so takes FWG on a journey of hopeful liberation. A nicely told story here, in general, that I'm sure looked great on the big screen, as production values were very high. The characters were well acted and there was a definate feeling of jounery in this. However, some things seemed a bit convenient - The kidnapper was in a hell of a hurry yet then stopped all of that for a leisurely lunch. He also seemed to forsake his own plans a bit too readily as he began his campaign to emancipate FWG. All the number crunching reminded me of "Rainman" and so if the purpose was feel some empathy for the lead - it didn't work for me. Despite this though, the film is well worth watching and I think it has a high replay value. Another tragic disqualification for 2011, too.