Rongo Productions is a media production company founded in 2008 by Stephanie Bennett in connection with her move to New Zealand. Stephanie has been producing, writing and directing documentaries and concerts since 1981 at her US based company, Delilah Films. For more information and history, please visit: Delilahfilms.net
Currently in production at Rongo Productions is a film on the life and work of sculptor Chris Bailey and in development a feature film based on the autobiography "A Bonfire in My Mouth" by Susi Newborn, founding director of Greenpeace UK and original crew member of the Rainbow Warrior. In addition in development are several music based films.
New Zealand Sculptor Chris Bailey
A Carver’s Story
Chris Bailey the established and lauded New Zealand sculptor has recently achieved 
international recognition and representation of his country at the Venice Biennale.
This is just one extraordinary event in Chris' story.
This film will explore both the inner and outer artist of a man breaking out of his shell and finding his
roots through his work and visiting his culture. Katherine Fogerty of FHE Galleries
in Auckland says Chris has in a mere two years the sheer brilliance and concentrated
dedication that artists normally require 20 years to achieve.
Visually this film will show an intimate journey from Aoteroa to Italy where inside the La Maddalena
Church in Venice where his recent work is currently being exhibited , These studies
and experiences now resonates in Chris’ work as he discovers in the in the
Maori world art and culture are inseparable This is off juxtaposed against his
earlier works erected on an ancient Maori Pa site in Waiheke and newer works
to be filmed in California collected by the famous architect Peter Cooper and
his wife.
Chris will reflect on some of his work and the meanings it has for
him. We will also look at the parallels in his journey from Roman Catholic upbringing
to his profound connection to the Marae and now the incredible journey from a
Waiheke workyard to a Roman Catholic Church in Venice. This makes for an interesting
discussion not only about artistic tradition but also about religion as Chris
has experienced both faiths and through him we can see the dichotomy and the
coherence.
Chris' works are collected around the world from New York to Europe
and throughout Aoteroa. How he got there and what is motivating him is the crux
of this story. Our film will search for his “Rosebud” set against wonderful landscapes
and works of art that are breathless from Italy to New Zealand.
Chris says” I
don’t feel compelled to stay in the Maori arena because I’m Maori but I think
that part of that comes come in my work anyway. I love going to other countries,
I get inspired by so many other artists – Roman, Greek, pre electricity, pre
diamond gear, its my creative juices flowing big time.”
The background score will consist of music composed by New Zealand composers
and musicians Rhian, James Webster and maybe Italian opera.
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Bonfire in my Mouth - The Movie
The Rainbow Warrior is one of the most famous symbols representing peaceful activism to protect our environment, from saving the whales to banning the bomb. This film follows the parallel stories of the Warrior's voyages and Susi Newborn, the woman who found her, named her and joined her first crew to sail the Rainbow Warrior into history.
As a young woman born into comfort, the daughter of Argentine parents part of that country's mission to London, Susi lived the swinging life of the times until her father met a mysterious death, when she felt the need to do something meaningful with her life.
Susi became an environmental activist initially with Friends of the Earth which later joined up with Greenpeace UK. From early campaigns on the Arctic ice to save baby seals from being bludgeoned to death, to riding Zodiacs in front of whalers' harpoons, Susi was there. A Bonfire in my Mouth is a powerful story of a resourceful fascinating woman who has lived her life with passion and commitment and inspiration.
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