In My Father's Den

Plot synopsis:
Paul Prior (Matthew Macfadyen), a disillusioned and battle-weary war photographer, decides to return home to an isolated town in the South Island of New Zealand. His brother Andrew (Colin Moy), a local ostrich farmer, is caught off-guard by Paul's sudden reappearance after 17 years away. Worlds apart, they barely recognise each other. Andrew, a pious man, pressures Paul into staying to help sort out the sale of their father's cottage and the adjoining orchard. Andrew is married to the highly religious Penny (Miranda Otto).
Reluctantly revisiting the dilapidated family property, Paul discovers the old den tucked away in the equipment shed. It belonged to his orchardist father Jeff (Matthew Chamberlain) who, away from his puritanical wife Iris (Vanessa Riddell), had secretly harboured a love of wine, literature and free-thinking philosophy. When Paul as a child had accidentally stumbled upon this wondrous booklined universe, he had been included in his father's secret, promising never to tell anyone about it.
Jonathan, an aspiring photographer, was given a camera by Paul and used it to take pictures of an unknowing Celia; Andrew found them and took the camera and the photos. Penny stumbled upon them in Andrew's desk, and assumed Celia was Andrew's lover.
Jonathan calls the police, and Andrew, taking the blame for his wife, is arrested. Celia's body is found in a river, and after the funeral, Paul burns the den and reconciles with Jackie. The film closes with a flashback to the last time Paul saw Celia; they openly talk about being siblings, and they say goodbye as she walks down the road to her untimely death.

Tags: mystery, murder

Review:
Wanted to see if I could get a DVD, not realising it hadn't been released in the UK, and fell into this site.The film is a bit like a jigsaw, at first it has no shape but as bits are added it starts to make sense and the enormity of the problem Paul has inadvertently got himself into becomes clear.
The two main characters are portrayed so wonderfully, you feel you're an extension of them.Not knowing the story probably helped as I was not expecting everything that comes to pass (don't want to spoil anything).
"In My Father's Den" both premiered and opened the 51st Sydney Film Festival, which is no mean feat for a New Zealand feature film.The film is of world class standard and I predict will easily join the ranks of other noted NZ feature films such as "Once were Warriors", "The Piano" and "Whalerider".The storytelling is sophisticated, delicate and richly layered in such a way, that it easily deserves a second viewing.
This film achieves what few films can claim to, and that is, to create characters, which you totally believe are living flesh and blood.I predict from this point forward, many an accomplished actor will be beating a path to Writer/Director Brad McGann's door.Mathew MacFadyen plays a war zone photographer returning to his former his home town to attend his fathers funeral.
Old family wounds are opened, youthful loves remembered, new relationships are forged and dark truths revealed.The film plays it's cards slowly and steadily at first, gradually drawing you deeper into it's web.
I have actually seen it a second time because it was selected for the Rotterdam Film Festival 2005 (little bit closer to home) and I am know hoping for a regular release in the Netherlands.
When his father dies, Paul Prior (Matthew Macfadyen), a disillusioned and battle weary war photographer, decides to return home to New Zealand.
Paul sets about clearing up and stumbles upon sixteen year-old Celia (Emily Barclay) who has been using the derelict hide-away as a private haven to write her stories and to fuel her dream of living in Europe, far away from the small town she longs to escape.This seemingly uninteresting story-line masks a superb plot that slowly unfolds as the movie progresses.
Alright, I admit family dramas with long hidden secrets are my favourites, but this has to be one of the best.I was utterly compelled by the story, I can't remember the last time I was so emotionally engrossed.
This is not a film for people who get bored easily or don't like to think or participate in the story- telling process - it is for those of us who like to take a plunge into something a little different, challenging (both in the way it's told and what it's about) and unpredictable.
A compelling story, half melodrama, half thriller, set in a quiet and fairly isolated region of New Zealand.Two brothers meet up after a long separation and dark secrets from the past slowly unravel on a collision course with present day reality.
A concatenation of events draws Paul into knots of suspicion and trust, which the film juxtaposes with increasingly frequent flashbacks explaining shadowy glimpses of shame beneath façades of uprightness.The beauty that first struck me about In My Father's Den was how it brought back to me the quietude of New Zealand, the untainted landscape where you can almost hear your own thoughts - and also the Kiwi ability to express much (for good or bad) without saying much.
An uncut '18' was available to the distributor." So UK law and our film censors would allow adults to see an uncut a work of artistic merit (one that was part financed by UK Lottery money) but UK financial interests (distributors with an eye to maximising ticket sales) will not.In My Father's Den is not without faults  the intercut flashbacks towards the end come with such alarming rapidity that it is almost confusing, and some of the characterisation (like a 16yr old girl who writes world class poetry), however moving, can seem far-fetched.
The narrative is painfully slow (butt-numbing 2hrs 10 mins), but necessary to allow you time to think through what is going on, and the revelation of the ending, shocking yet somewhat expected.Paul Prior is a renowned war photo-journalist who's back in NZ to attend his father's funeral.
Although he missed it, being back home gave him the opportunity to touch base with his estranged brother and his wife (Lord of the Rings fan will recognize Miranda Otto here), his nephew, and hook back up with his ex-flame who's now married to somebody else.During this time, he hooks up with one of his students, 16 year old Celia, whose outlook in life, and passion for writing, brought back memories of himself, as well as memories of his ex-flame Jackie.
There are many characters in this film, and your mind will race as to sieve out the red herrings, and decide who's involved, and who's not.The "den" in the title refers to a shed that Paul's father has, which is stashed with good books, and good vinyl music discs.
Many pivotal events take place in this shed, being a place of refuge for Paul, to being a key element of suspense and shock to the audience when the twist is revealed.The multi-faceted relationships between the characters form the theme of this film, and the cast put up excellent performances in bringing their roles to life.
The ending, when revealed and when you think through it in its proper chronological order, is fulfilling, yet laced with a heavy dose of sadness.So if you're in for some classic story-telling, from a plot that really takes its time to unravel, then this is recommended for you.
Whilst acknowledging this aspect and the grim subject matter, I feel the beauty of the developing relationship between Paul and Celia is so touching and the scenery/photography is so wonderful, that for me, this lifted and gave balance to the overall feel of the film.
The acting is outstanding: Matthew MacFayden is utterly superb in his role as Paul Prior a jaded war photographer embroiled in emotional drama, most of it painful, when he returns home to his native New Zealand for his father's funeral - his performance here is heart-wrenching, yet under-stated.
It is gorgeously photographed: The passing of time as depicted by an avenue of trees, moving from blossom to snowfall; the stunning landscapes - courtesy of New Zealand's immense natural splendour - provide backdrops which are both eye-catching but often appropriate too; even the grimy intimacy of the father's den.
Having never read the book, and not being much of a Gee fan in any event, I'm not going to comment on any similarities - or lack of similarities - between the two.Matthew MacFadyen leads the movie as Paul Prior, a lonely war photographer returning home to southern New Zealand for his father's funeral.
When Paul visits his father's house, and returns to the secret den that his father built, filled with books and music, he discovers Celia (Emily Barclay), a young woman with a yearning for something deeper than the small town life.
A repressed and clearly bitter young man, Andrew has married a woman the spitting image of the boys' dead mother.In My Father's Den runs a twisted, web like connection between its characters.
As time passes Paul builds a friendship with Celia - now one of his students - through meetings and long discussions held in the secret den that they share.When Celia disappears the rumor-mill starts working overtime and Paul finds the town's suspicion and hatred turned on him - once his home, the town now sees him as the worst kind of outsider.
In My Father's Den offers a deep and thoughtful look into a world of darkness and bitterness, in a way that will undoubtedly move you.But it's far from perfect.
But 'In my Father's Den' is not just the best N.Z. movie, it is one of the best film of the year.
Don't want to talk about the story,(I knew to much when I saw it), anyone who likes their emotions true in cinema will love this film.
Newcomer Emily Barclay is also brilliant, playing the naiive, but refreshing "Celia".It is one of those films that keeps you guessing all the way through, and will give a handful of twists at the end for you to revere and reminisce on as you look back on the fantastic 120 minutes we have just witnessed.There is some excellent directing on show from Brad McGann and shows off the beautiful New Zealand landscape, without covering it head to toe in Orcs.
He plays with the narrative to create a compelling, engrossing story, that never looks tired weak or pretentious, and shows that thrillers don't all have to be hi-tech Clancy-like over ambitious renditions of the same tired clichés.Miranda Otto seems strangely misplaced in this film, and never seems totally in control of her character, but despite that this film is near flawless and shows a different side to film making, one that comes directly from true film lovers and not penned down by some Hollywood writing monkeys.A must see for all film lovers, whether or not you are appreciative of world cinema, a brilliant lesson to all aspiring filmmakers, that sometimes a great story is all you need..
One of the most touching films I've seen in a long time, a complicated story that unwinds slowly but powerfully due the the directing and performances of the fine cast.
I felt like I was reading a book, the way you got little pieces of insight into the characters in each scene.
Do not fear however, everything makes sense by the end.The events develop slowly and believably in a small New Zealand town.
The soundtrack was also perfect, with a mix of haunting original scores and rock classics from the likes of Patti Smith.The acting was wonderful, not just from Matthew Macfadyen and Emily Barclay but also the supporting cast.
What's that about?'In my father's Den' is a must see film if your preference is drama that allows you to be totally absorbed into the characters in as much as the story itself.
The book has Paul (Matthew MacFadyen), the principal character as an unknown schoolteacher in an outer suburban school; the film has him as a minor celebrity returning to the scenic rural home of his youth.
Here we have some interesting characters who somehow have got lost in the plot  a mistake not made in Ray Lawrence's "Lantana" for example, although "Jindabyne" ran close to the edge.At the end of the film there is a complete stuff-up  the final scene should been the second to last scene.
In My Father's Den is one of the finest films i have seen in years.
In My Father's den takes many typical problems that we have and many not so typical problems and condenses them all into a ultra-powerful 120 minute drama.The film does have a rather slow start but this doesn't matter because the acting my Matthew and Emily is so outstanding you don't really seem to notice the pace.A wonderful and beautiful film, wish there were more like it..
actually this is more a drama but that doesn't make it worse.The story itself is very intense and interesting, u can feel with the characters which probably may be because of the really great acting.
I just saw In My Father's Den at its Seattle International Film Festival premiere and it was certainly an entertaining movie.
All these aspects give it an intriguing sort of Kiwi Noir feel.That said, the editing and cinematography from In My Father's Den never really exceed average, the story runs on a bit long, and there is nothing here particularly innovative or even cutting edge.
As Hollywood continues to produce worse and worse films, New Zealand has become one of a number of bright stars in world cinema and In My Father's Den certainly ranks amongst the better Kiwi films..
One of life's loners returns to the quiet, rural backwater of New Zealand where he grew up and left while still a teenager due to a confrontation with his father which we know nothing of to start with.
And if a den can be portrayed just as well, with an actual feel and real character and thoughts of wonders and dreams and wishes, that every boy or girl would love to call their own, here is one.
Be warned - this film gets off to a very slow start, and I nearly gave up on it, but it's worth persevering for what in the finish, is a finely-wrought piece of cinema.Full of difficult familial relationships and tensions, a character who's clearing suffering PTSD, strange behaviours that seem at first inexplicable, it gradually builds into a sad, unsettling story that really draws you in, and a number of plot twists that may surprise.The scenery is harsh and beautiful, and that sense of being a cuckoo in the nest in a small town is captured very well.
My Rating : 8/10I love 'In My Father's Den'.Slow-paced, dialogue-driven and emotionally gripping set in a small town in New Zealand.
It tells the story about war journalist and photographer Paul Prier who returns to his hometown in New Zealand in order to attend his father's funeral.
While reconsidering his decision, Paul discovers a sixteen-year-old girl named Celia in his father's den and meets his former principal who offers him a job as an English teacher at the local high school.
Finely and engagingly directed Brad McGann, this profoundly gripping and compassionately narrated independent film is an in-depth study of character about a man who is struggling to confront and acknowledge a past that has followed him ever since he left the town where he grew up.
Brad McGann's film 'In my Father's Den' starts very slowly, an account of some closed and not particularly likable brothers coming together after the funeral of their father.
But their obstructive characters (and of those around them) pay dividends when they become suspects in the disappearance of a local girl; even as we learn that there's a lot of dark family history which makes them seem more understandable and sympathetic, we can also believe that they might have done something terrible; and the plot is worked out nicely.
Still, I liked the overall portrait of life in the far south of New Zealand, a place that may seem beautiful and open but which in this film, comes across as a very narrow and claustrophobic place..
I congratulate Brad on his choice for the role of 'Paul Prior' Matthew macfadyen is superb in this movie.
The central characters of the film are Paul Prior played by Matthew MacFadyen and Celia, played by Emily Barclay.
Barclay is a very new actor, and according to the IMDb Bio, she currently works part-time in an Auckland video store.MacFadyen's character is a world renowned photo-journalist who is brought back to rural New Zealand by the death of his father.
Through a set of circumstances - the interview she conducts with him for school is hilarious - they become friends, connecting through their love of books and through MacFadyen's character's desire to ensure Barclay's character has the chance to achieve - like him - all of her potential.In the background to this, we're given an insight into life in a small rural community in New Zealand where the teenagers are bored and the adults are divided amongst those who enjoy life locally and those who admire those who have left.
Paul Prior, played brilliantly by Matthew Macfadyen, returns home for his father's funeral after Paul had been away for years.
this story could have taken place anywhere, but as it turned out, rural Central Otago was chosen for filming, and this movie features superb panoramas of the one of the most beautiful places in the world..In My Father's Den seems to lead the audience in one direction in that for most of the film, Emily Barclay's character seems to be Matthew Macfayden's love-child, but after dramatic turns of events and some clever use of flashbacks integrated within the movie sequence, this seems not the case and as it turns out there is a far darker secret within the family..
If you only saw New Zealand films made from a NZ writing source you may think we are a gloomy country.
New Zealand may have a dark heart at the core of it's writing, particularly from this time - Maurice Gee's source novel was actually written in 1972 - but now the actors are up to it.
the title of the film (book) is in itself inspired as it this which leads you to believe that paul is celia's father.the only small point which i didn't fully understand was the scene where celia is killed.
Matthew Macfadyen, as the out of place and uncomfortable returning escapee Paul, and Emily Barclay, as the insecure but seemingly confident sixteen year old Celia, nail their performances beautifully.
It's a film about complex emotions and it does well to avoid clichés or oversimplify.Paul is a war journalist returning to his home after his father's death.
SPOILER This film has an interesting story and a nice feel but it just takes too long to get going.
Miranda Otto's character does nothing much at all and the suicidal mother of the boys childhood is transparently a plot function.That said there are some excellent moments in the film and over all I quite liked it, I just feel that with so many writer/director based pieces someone was needed to truly develop this script before it was shot..
Den And Now. This is one of those films that you feel might have been really good if only they'd taken a little more time and trouble.