# GURL

GURL is a 2020 New Zealand short film directed, written and produced by Mika X. The film premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival as part of the "Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2020" selection curated by Leo Koziol and Craig Fasi. GURL tells a story of Carmen Rupe experience in the context of being both Maori and LGBT: "The infamous Māori Drag Queen Carmen 'Gurl' finally accepts her-true-self when she falls in love with a fading rugby star on an ill-fated night in New Zealand 1975." This short film is a prequel to the feature film "The Book of Carmen" which has been in pre-production since the release of GURL.

## Plot

GURL is about night of the life of Carmen Rupe. While she is working the streets in the evening of K road, Carmen lives in a fantasy as a younger transgender woman "Gurl", working as a sex worker, waiting for her White Knight to take her away. When the white knight isn't what he makes out to be, Gurl escapes a violent. While she collects herself, an unexpected person comes to her aid, A dying All Black. The two spend an evening together as they fall in love.

## Cast

* Jay Tewake as Gurl / Young Carmen
* Jackie Clarke as Sapphire
* Brady Peeti as Gypsy
* Regan Taylor as Ed
* Aaron Ward as White Knight
* Mika X as Carmen
* Rosanna Raymond as Mystik Maiden
* Ramon Te Wake as Mystik Ra
* Amanaki Prescott as Mystik Ama
* Amanduh La Hoare as Lofty Queen
* Danielle Hayes as Terracotta Blade
* Whetu Fala as Whaea
* Richie Cattell as Rugby Lad

## Credits
### Director

* Directed and Written by: Mika X

### Producers

* Executive Producer: Mika X
* Consulting Producer: Georgina Allison Conder
* Consulting Producer: Philippa Campbell
* Line Producer: Lance Loughlin
* Associate Producer: Alex Plumb

### Music department

* Music Composers: Mark Dennison
* Music Composers: Penny Dodd
* Music Producer and Mastered by: Alan Jansson
* Music Manager: Benjamin Thomas Watt

### Design

* Production Design: Shaun Dooley

### Sound Department

* Sound Recordists: Tipene Rogers
* Sound Recordists: Mark Storie

### Editing

* Editor: Anastasia Doniants
* Editing Studio: Department of post

## Releases

The film premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival at ASB Waterfront Theatre on 26 July 2020. The film was also available to watch online until 2 August. The film was screened in the first weekend of August at Rialto Cinema Tauranga, Monterey Howick Cinemas in Auckland, Regent cinema in Dunedin, Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth and Roxy Cinema in Wellington.

## Soundtrack
### Single
#### Track listing
##### Digital download

* "What Kind Of Coffee Do You Like?" – 2:26

### Album

All tracks are written by Mika Haka

## Reception
### Accolades

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| NZIFF | 2 August 2020 | Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts Best Film Award | Mika X | Nominated |
| NZIFF | 2 August 2020 | Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts CineMāori Audience Award | Mika X | Won |
| Wairoa Māori Film Festival | 25 October 2020 | Whenua Jury - Best Māori Director (Short Film) | Mika X | Won |
| Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (Films of the Month – Jan-Feb 2021) | 17 March 2021 | Best LGBT | Mika X | Won |
| Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (Films of the Month – Jan-Feb 2021) | 17 March 2021 | Outstanding Achievement Award | Mika X | Won |
| Brazil International Monthly Film Festival | September 2021 | Best Actor For Median Length Film | Jay Tewake | Won |
| California Indies Film and Script Awards | January 2022 | Best LGBTQ Film | Mika X | Won |