‘It’s not until you destroy everything that you find out what is real’. The first teaser trailer for the Kiwi salvagepunk Western Existence has arrived (via Quiet Earth) – a low budget film that presents a beautiful but haunting look at a future Earth as a dying world.

Using distinctive New Zealand landscapes has always been a hallmark of Kiwi filmmakers. Here Wellington’s isolated coastlines, complete with wind turbines and WW2 bunkers, are used to incredible effect to create the desolate home of Earth’s last survivors. Far from being free, the people of this ‘new world’ are caged behind an immense electric fence, guarded by men called ‘Boundary Riders’. Freya (Loren Taylor, Eagle vs Shark) believes that her, and her family’s, only hope for freedom lies beyond the fence. She seduces one of riders (Matt Sutherland, Out of the Blue) in order to successfully journey to ‘the other side’. But the consequences of her desire may prove disastrous for all.

Newbie director Juliet Bergh’s film is the first release from the New Zealand Film Commission’s Escalator scheme. And for the film, a futuristic Kiwi dialect for the Boundary Riders was invented by two Massey University lecturers, Martin Paviour-Smith and Peter Petrucci.

Existence will have its World Premiere on August 3 in Wellington, as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival.

After seeing this trailer, I’m really glad to have tickets to the World Premiere. I’m also a big fan of dark and gritty, character-driven dramas – so this will definitely spin my turbine!

The haunting soundtrack on the trailer really adds tension. And I’m loving the visual style of the film. The sweeping hillside and coastline shots support the Western feel nicely. Never has Wellington ‘on a bad day’ looked so beautiful.

You like the look of this film? Are you going to see it at the film fest?

Existence is the story of a woman, Freya, who is trapped in a dying world she cannot escape. Set many years from now, the earth is submerged under a toxic ocean and the last remaining land mass barely support the survivors. Freya’s family salvages what little remains in a land where they live, effectively, as prisoners. An immense electric fence powered by wind turbines keeps the family shut off from the world beyond. Enigmatic Boundary Riders guard the fence and prevent crossings. Freya believes her only hope for freedom lies with a Boundary Rider who also yearns for something he cannot have. Determined to cross the Fence she seduces the Rider and the consequences are disastrous for her family.

Directed by Juliet Bergh, and co-written by Juliet Bergh and Jessica Charlton, the film stars Loren Taylor, Gareth Reeves, Matt Sutherland, Peter McCauley, Aaron Jackson, Thomasin McKenzie, Peter McKenzie, Rachel Roberts, Gentiane Lupi, and Rachel Freeman.

Existence will screen at this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival. No news on a general release yet – but stay tuned.

Website: existence.co.nz

(Source: Quiet Earth)