There is always something special about coming of age stories that get it right, as they become more than the parts that created them and become a movie for a generation. This can sound hyperbolic, but when these coming of age stories knock it out of the park and feature a character finding themselves in the midst of a dark political climate, it certainly resonates more even more so in today’s world. Hamish Bennett and Paul Middleditch co-direct and co-write, along with Sonia Whiteman, the heartwarming, touching, and at moments, hilarious Uproar.
Uproar focuses on Josh Waaka (Julian Dennison) who’s trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs in the world. His father has unfortunately passed away years ago, and his mother Shirley (Minnie Driver) is doing everything she can to keep Josh and his brother Jamie (James Rolleston) afloat, as Jamie is struggling to find purpose in his own life after an injury that has sidelined him from rugby. There’s the passion that his teacher Madigan (Rhys Darby) finds in Josh and pressure to be part of the rugby team.
Uproar truly stands out because of the magnificent performances from Julian Dennison and Rhys Darby. They both bring incredibly infectious heart and soul to their performances and create a world for the audience to fully fall in love with. Bennet, Middleditch and Whiteman truly create the underdog story of the year and will have the audience rallying behind Josh and cheering for him throughout Uproar.
- Rated: NR
- Genre: Drama
- Release Date: 9/7/2023
- Directed by: Hamish Bennett, Paul Middleditch
- Starring: Craig Hall, Erana James, James Rolleston, Julian Dennison, Leonard Mathews, Marris Collins, Minnie Driver, Rhys Darby
- Produced by: Angela Cudd, Emma Slade, Sandra Kailahi
- Written by: Hamish Bennett, Sonia Whiteman
- Studio: Caravan Carpark Films, Firefly Films, Kingston Productions, New Zealand Film Commission
