Pike River, the film: Perfect
A criminal loss and the power of the aggrieved, captured with perfection
Go see 'Pike River', I did on Wednesday. Those lost are honoured in this telling of how the aggrieved individual and community—combined with rage, friendship, and love—can take on years of government, legal, and corporate 'obstruction' or worse...
The Disaster
The Pike River Disaster is a coal mining incident (not an accident) on 19 November 2010 in the Pike River Mine, 46 km northeast of Greymouth, in the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island, following a methane explosion at approximately 3:44 pm.
While rescue was being 'contemplated' —and it seems little more than that despite what the families were told —a second explosion occurred at 2:37 pm on 24 November 2010.
The incident resulted in the deaths of twenty-nine miners who were entombed in the mine where, it was later established, it was almost inevitable.
The Film
Pike River, the film, tells the story primarily through the lives of Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey), Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm), and the community who lost loved ones in the incident.
It takes a complex story that spans the incident and years of legal, corporate, and government obstruction in their fight for justice. It captures the tragedy, the loss, but also the friendship, community, love, even the occasional laugh, and rage that fuelled their fight which continues —as does the criminal investigation—to this day.
As you'd expect it is not a happy movie, take a tissue, but it is certainly an uplifting one and essential viewing. Although it honours the loss, for me the overwhelming emotion was admiration for the persistence and strength of those who still live with it.
The 'in conversation' screening
I saw an 'in conversation' screening with a panel of Fiona (writer), Rob (director), Rowdy (himself), 'the Anas' (Anna herself and actor Melanie), and 'the Sonyas' (Sonya herself and actor Robyn) hosted by Mike McRoberts, after the screening.
Mike was a superb host: having been a reporter for TV3 News who was in Õtautahi Christchurch when the explosion happened, arrived and broadcast live as soon as he could drive there. He introduced the movie, which he had not yet seen, by inviting Director Rob Sarkies to the stage.
Rob told the story of the production, how the writer, cast, crew, and community melded to capture a story that needs to be told.
It was amazing to see the love and friendship between them all: bonded by the incident and movie production, reliving it as a participant, film maker, or actor. Like everything to do with this loss, there were some conflicting opinions on its production. There had been a premiere in Greymouth, an industry premiere, but this was (in Rob's words) 'the first paid audience screening'.
To hear of the film's reception in Greymouth and Ana, Sonya, & Rowdy say the movie told their story—a glimpse of how they still live it—and honoured the lost was powerful.
The production
This article and clip give a small insight into what went into capturing 15+ years of history, lives, corporate, legal, and government obstruction.
These interviews, ~15-20 min each, give more detail:
RNZ
Kathryn talks with Rob Sarkies
RNZ
Suzie talks with Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm
A proper film review
I can't think of anyone better than Dame Gaylene Preston—herself an acclaimed Director/Producer & Greymouth, West Coast local—to review this movie.
'Perfect' is not a term used lightly by her, and I'm going to steal it:
Dame Gaylene Preston reviews Pike River
The tenuous personal connection
In 2022 I cycled the Paparoa Track which goes high into the hills from near Blackball, follows ridge lines above the Pike River area, and then drops into the Pororari River valley most of the way back to Punakaiki.
At the time, 'The Pike 29 Memorial Track', which goes from the Paparoa Track down to the mine valley, was under construction. The 'gifting' of the Paparoa National Park (est 1987) expansion to include the Pike River area and Tracks (the Paparoa an upgrade and extension of an existing hiking trail) is depicted in the movie as a cop-out for the betrayal of PM John Key's National government's promise to recover the lost men, which it was. It is telling that an actor plays only one of the two former Prime Ministers who appear in the film.
As I watched the opening of the film—aerial shots with a stunning soundtrack of natural sound and subtle instrumentation—it took me straight back to those massive mountains, thrust into the sky by the movement of continents, veiled in cloud and rain, that made a boy on a bike feel so insignificant.
I didn't write about Pike River in my blog post of that very special day. I was aware of the history but didn't know enough, or feel it was my place, to add anything. It was one reason I had to see this film, to do so in the presence of those who still live it was an honour.
Vale the 29, they, their famlies, and community still await justice...
Postscript
"Of course that’s totally fine to use those pics!
Very much appreciate your support - takes a bit to get people off their couch to see a movie - especially I think a NZ movie that isn’t exactly ‘feel-good’ but I do hope people do, and then talk about it - not the movie, but the wider issues and questions about who we are as a society it might provoke." Rob
I'm going to write more on that, the contrast between political response and the dangers NZ faces regressing to Pike era 'safety' in future.
Reference
Contributors to Wikimedia projects
RNZ
The Pike 29 Memorial Track
From this, it seems, the families have reconciled some of the conflict 'the gift' presented:
RNZ News
The Movie
Directed by: Rob Sarkies
Produced by: Vicky Pope, Timothy White
Screenplay by: Fiona Samuel
Executive produced by: Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm, Paul Gough, James Dean, Jennifer Sutton, Doug Gold, William Watson, Rob Sarkies, Ella Field, Elizabeth Williams
Cast: Anna Osborne: Melanie Lynskey, Sonya Rockhouse: Robyn Malcolm, Helen Kelly: Lucy Lawless, Milton Osborne: John Leigh
For full cast & production details see IMDB:
