The trailer for the film was released yesterday, offering a glimpse into a retelling of the events leading up to the November 2010 explosion that killed 29 men underground at the Pike River coalmine, and the long battle the families of the miners have faced since.
The New Zealand movie opens locally on October 30.
New Zealand actresses Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Yellowjackets, The Last of Us, Heavenly Creatures) and Robyn Malcolm (After the Party, Far North, Outrageous Fortune) play Anna Osborne (Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Malcolm), who both lost their loved ones in the disaster and became leading voices in the long fight for truth and accountability.
The film also features Lucy Lawless (Xena, My Life is Murder) as unionist Helen Kelly, and Tim Gordon (The Kick) as Pike families spokesman Bernie Monk.
Pike River was partly shot on location in Greymouth in 2023, and some families were closely involved in the production. The film is supported by the Families Committee and Families Reference Group.
Film-makers say they have chosen to premiere the movie in Greymouth to honour the community at the heart of the story, though it will have its world premiere in Sydney on June 7, as a "special presentation" at the 2000-seat State Theatre.
Some Pike River families from New Zealand and Australia will be attending that screening, along with members of the cast and crew.
"It’s going to be an emotional time — watching the trailer was hard in itself."
The film would be good for the community to see, 15 years on.
"I’m sure there will be some mixed emotions around."
Director Rob Sarkies, originally from Dunedin, commented: "After working closely for more than five years with many of the Pike River families it’s gratifying to be sharing the first glimpse of the film. I hope Pike River will give New Zealanders an insight into the determination of these families and an understanding of what they went through, and why.
"Melanie and Robyn have done an extraordinary job capturing Anna and Sonya’s inspiring friendship that transformed them into leaders for their community." — Greymouth Star
