Bond

OUR STORY

Bond is a short film set in the midst of New Zealand’s current housing crisis. A family is moved out of their much beloved rental home in order to allow space for a wealthier family to move in. As the new family arrive they are faced with the reality of a lower standard of living and to their surprise, the previous tenants’ unwillingness to leave. Our story focuses on the two young children of each family: Jimmy and Tilly, and the bond they form despite their differing circumstances.

WHY WE NEED TO TELL THIS STORY

Bond will offer residents across the country a chance to reflect on the experiences of others as well as their own. Each family in our story will be a reminder that none of us are ever truly alone in our struggles; be they monetary, familial or platonic. Bond explores how the housing crisis impacts them all. 

The young children within the film aren’t there to be used as empathy agents, but rather as scopes for which genuine adult concerns about the housing crisis can be voiced without bias. Bond is our way of helping raise awareness around the impacts of current law and rent increases to the renting community of New Zealand. Our film aims to deliver key messages around unity and understanding. Our characters are complex and diverse, based on ‘real’ people with real stories. 

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

Everyone working on Bond is fuelled to help tell this story; something that’s real, and that’s happening to New Zealanders right now. We are all donating our free time to make this film and are hoping to raise $5,000 to cover our production costs. Your donation will help pay for travel, production design, locations, equipment hire and unit supplies. Ultimately, your funds will bring us all together to make a film that we know is important. 

Bond is locked for filming in late August.

OUR CAST & CREW

Executive Producer – Annabelle Snelling

Producer – Daisy Thor-Poet

Writer & Director – James Robertson

Director of Photography – Michael Cox

1^st Assistant Director – Martin Cole

Script Supervisor & Costume Designer – Violet Rowe

Hair & Make Up Artist and Art Department Coordinator – Xan Twissell

Sound Recordist – Taine Andrews

Gaffer – Liam Hall

Composer/Soundtrack – Liam Reid

Health & Safety Officer – Jono Obern

Role of Mary – Lindsey Rusling

Role of Jimmy – Theo Hewitt

Role of Tilly – Mischa Blake

Role of Luke – Zen Wilson-Travis

Role of Arun – Bijo John

Writer/Directors statement: ‘Bond is a reflection of environments I have found myself in at multiple points in my life. I have moved out of numerous beloved rental homes throughout my time in Wellington due only to the swift increment of the city's rental prices. I wrote Bond during a time of immense personal change, a change reflected coincidentally, in Bond’s two leads; Jimmy and Tilly. This film is as much a story about transitioning from one phase of life to another as it is a story about New Zealand’s housing crisis.' - James Robertson

Executive Producers statement: ‘During my time in Wellington, I have lived in six different properties, and last month I was given a 90 day notice period to leave my current home. If you don’t have family around or a house to call your own, finding somewhere to settle can be a real challenge. I first read Bond during a transitional period similar to that of the characters in our story. In trying to find my footing in a new environment, the script not only gave me somewhere to explore the impacts of moving, but also a place to recognise the significance of having a concrete, long term home - something that is often taken for granted. This is not to say mine, nor James' living circumstances are worse than others. But they do give us reason to dive deeper into an issue that we know is affecting thousands of New Zealanders all over the country.' - Annabelle Snelling

THANK YOU

If you are unable to make a donation, perhaps you could help us by sharing our campaign and spreading awareness around theme of our story. Any support you can offer us would be greatly appreciated. 

All donations go via the Arts Council and are tax deductible.  

Bond is sponsored by Tinted Productions.