Blood Tropicana

In a dystopian Wellington, a cynical bureaucrat questions his fascist worldview when he confronts an illegal immigrant inside the seedy speakeasy Blood Tropicana.

The Democratic Republic of Aotearoa has morphed into a fascist state intent on keeping its own citizens “safe” no matter the cost. The militarised police work closely with the Immigration Compliance Agency ensuring any overstayers are swiftly deported. Frank, still grieving his late wife, works in a clerical position at the I.C.A. and discovers someone is using his wife’s identity. He decides to confront the immigrant himself despite having no authority. Frank tracks the woman to a seedy speakeasy where she works as a sex worker.

As emerging creatives, we find the recent resurgence of right-wing ideals abroad and at home very concerning. We have imagined a world that, although progressive in some aspects, is deeply xenophobic. Paranoia and fear grip the general populace and citizens happily give up their freedom in the name of safety. Computer chips are implanted subdermally at birth to track movement, status and money. Our main character Frank is a blind believer of the system and the status quo.

We are a crew of 25 Creative Media Production students from Massey University. Our goal is to produce a professional quality short film that is ready for festival submission. We are currently in the final stages of pre-production and are raising money to help pay for our cast, location fees, transport, a film score, catering, costuming and festival submission fees.

We have an ambitious project that we hope will serve as our ‘calling card’ for the industry. We had previous plans to supplement our Boosted campaign with community-based fundraisers such as film screenings but Covid-19 has thrown a spanner in the works. We are now hoping to raise the entire budget through this single campaign. Anything you are able to donate will go directly to supporting the next generation of emerging filmmakers. 

The Crew

Jerry Sauvao - Producer/Co-Writer/1st AD

Zavana Evans - Director/Writer

Liam Campbell - Director of Photography

Nadia Elers - Production Designer

Brady Green - Post Production Supervisor/VFX Artist

Luke McGlone - Sound Designer

Quinn Fenton - VFX Supervisor

Harry Ward - VFX Artist

Alfonso Dela Cruz - Production Manager

Conna Butler - 1st AC/Marketing

Hadley Norman - Gaffer

Taylor Carrasco - Massey Staff Supervisor

Sacha Leonidas - Script Supervisor

Ben Addison-Saipe - Editor

Sean Greenslade - Editor

Alexandra La Rooij - 2nd AD

Tom Foy - 2nd AD

Stevie Goodwin - Set Dresser

Zezil Meehirun - Property Master

Sarah Joy - Production Assistant

Bradon Houston - 2nd AC

Ebed Pohl - Key Grip

Zack Stringer-Jago - Grip

Matthew Canlas - Best Boy

Joel Orchard - Boom Operator

Eva Liu - Foley Artist

Composers - Alison Studans, Rupert Hunter