Three stunning documentaries lead the charge this week.  Each one’s a “must see”, but it’s the heartland rugby doco The Ground We Won that deservedly gets our nod for FOTW.

Also this week, there’s the Aussie feel-good family flick Paper Planes and the Bellas are back in the sequel to Pitch Perfect.

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THE GROUND WE WON……FILM OF THE WEEK

New Zealand | 91 minutes | Documentary, Sport
Director: Christopher Prior (How Far is Heaven)
Featuring: Peanut, Slug, Broomy, Socks, Sticks, Turbo, Horse, Grease

The Ground We Won CRR

A rich slice of heartland New Zealand, as we follow the fortunes of the Reporoa Rugby Team, made up of local farmers, who attempt to turn around their dismal run of form.

By all accounts, this year’s best Kiwi film. I can’t wait to see it.

https://youtu.be/3I0H0ugoplo

Distributor: Self distributed

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KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK

USA | 145 minutes | Documentary, Music
Director: Brett Morgen (Crossfire Hurricane, On the Ropes, Chicago 10)
Featuring: Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, Krist Novoselic

Kurt Cobain Montage of Heck CRR

An intimate picture of Kurt Cobain’s life told through home movies, animated journal extracts, archival footage, and interviews.

Looks spellbinding. A must of Cobain fans.

Distributor: Unknown

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PAPER PLANES

Australia | 96 minutes | Family
Director: Robert Connolly (The Turning (Aquifer), Balibo)
Cast: Sam Worthington, Ex Oxenbould, Deborah Mailman, Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke, Terry Norris, Julian Dennison

Paper Planes CRR

A young boy’s passion for flight takes him to the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.

Reignites my childhood love of making paper planes – and great to see Kiwi actor Julian Dennison getting more work.

Distributor: Roadshow Films

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PITCH PERFECT 2

USA | 115 minutes | Comedy, Music
Director: Elizabeth Banks (debut feature)
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks, Katey Sagal, Alexis Knapp, Anna Camp

Pitch Perfect 2 CRR

After an unfortunate mishap the Bellas are banned from performing in the US, forcing them to seek redemption at the World Championships in Amsterdam – a title no American team has ever won

This sequel should please fans of the first film.

Distributor: Universal Pictures

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THAT SUGAR FILM

Australia | 97 minutes | Documentary
Director: Damon Gameau (debut feature)
Featuring: Damon Gameau, Stephen Fry

That Sugar Film CRR

Australian actor Damon Gameau exposes the truth about the sugar content in supposedly ‘healthy’ food, by consuming nothing but.

I doubt we’ll look at food the same way again. Either that or we’ll leave the cinema craving a big bag of badness, just like I did after Super Size Me.

Distributor: Madman