Head South
Touching coming-of-age comedy set in New Zealand in 1979, about a naive teenager who, without any musical experience, plans a gig for his (not yet existing) post-punk band at the local rock music venue.
Angus, a teenager living in 1979's Christchurch, is having a tough time. His mother has left him and his father saying she will be back in two weeks’ time, he accidentally sold parsley instead of weed to his friends, and he is overall much less cool than he would like to be. When his brother, who is studying in London, sends him a single by post-punk band Public Image Ltd, a world literally opens up for him.
Fighting mockery from his friends and his own lack of self-confidence, Angus pretends that he has his own band. When his lie begins to take on a life of its own, he joins forces with the very musical Kirsten, a young drugstore saleswoman.
Based on his own childhood in New Zealand, Ogilvie sketches the life of a teenager living on an island on the other side of the world pre-internet. The cinematography, music and fashion in HEAD SOUTH bring a period to life. (rs)