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'''Taika Waititi''' (born 16 August 1975), also known as '''Taika Cohen''', is a New Zealand-born film director, writer, painter, comedian and actor named as one of [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']]'s "ten new directors to watch" in 2007.<ref name="tennew">Ross, Mathew. [http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=features2007&content=jump&jump=story&dept=sundance&nav=Dsundance&articleid=VR1117957583 "10 Directors to Watch"], [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']], 17 January 2007]</ref>
'''Taika Waititi''' (born 16 August 1975), also known as '''Taika Cohen''', is a New Zealand-born film director, writer, painter, comedian and actor named as one of [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']]'s "ten new directors to watch" in 2007.<ref name="tennew">Ross, Mathew. [http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=features2007&content=jump&jump=story&dept=sundance&nav=Dsundance&articleid=VR1117957583 "10 Directors to Watch"], [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']], 17 January 2007</ref>


His 2010 film [[Boy (2010 film)|''Boy'']] has done very well in New Zealand, eclipsing several records,<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_3618619">{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3618619/Home-Boy-hit-helps-keep-local-cameras-rolling |title=Home Boy hit helps keep local cameras rolling |author=Churchouse, Nick |date=24 April 2010 |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |accessdate=16 November 2011}}</ref><ref>http://www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/boy-now-top-grossing-nz-film-all-time/5/49284</ref> and he was nominated for an [[Academy Award]] for his 2003 short film ''[[Two Cars, One Night]]''.
His 2010 film [[Boy (2010 film)|''Boy'']] has done very well in New Zealand, eclipsing several records,<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_3618619">{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3618619/Home-Boy-hit-helps-keep-local-cameras-rolling |title=Home Boy hit helps keep local cameras rolling |author=Churchouse, Nick |date=24 April 2010 |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |accessdate=16 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="boy">{{cite web| title=Boy Now Top Grossing NZ Film Of All Time| url=http://www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/boy-now-top-grossing-nz-film-all-time/5/49284| 20 May 2010| publisher=Voxy.co.nz| accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> and he was nominated for an [[Academy Award]] for his 2003 short film ''[[Two Cars, One Night]]''.


==Background==
==Background==
Waititi hails from the [[Raukokore]] area of the East Coast region of New Zealand<ref name=nzonscreen/> and his father is a [[Māori people|Maori]] of [[Te Whānau-ā-Apanui]]. Waititi has used his Jewish mother's surname of Cohen for some of his work in film and writing.<ref name=kiwicohn>Bloom, Nate. [http://www.interfaithfamily.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=ekLSK5MLIrG&b=297399&ct=4067605 "Interfaith Celebrities: Kyra Sedgwick, Baseball's Braun-y Interfaith Rookie and a Jewish Maori Director"]. InterfaithFamily.com, 10 July 2007. [http://www.webcitation.org/5zCLlhHyy WebCitation archive].</ref>
Waititi hails from the [[Raukokore]] area of the East Coast region of New Zealand<ref name=nzonscreen/> and his father is a [[Māori people|Maori]] of [[Te Whānau-ā-Apanui]]. Waititi has used his Jewish mother's surname of Cohen for some of his work in film and writing.<ref name=kiwicohn>{{cite web| author=Nate Bloom| title=Interfaith Celebrities: Kyra Sedgwick, Baseball's Braun-y Interfaith Rookie and a Jewish Maori director| url=http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Interfaith_Celebrities_Kyra_Sedgwick_Baseballs_Braun-y_Interfaith_Rookie_and_a_Jewish_Maori_Director.shtml| publisher=InterfaithFamily.com| date=10 July 2007| accessdate=2012-12-02}}</ref>


==Comedy work==
==Comedy work==
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His first feature film, the 2007 romantic comedy ''[[Eagle vs Shark]]'', was released to U.S. theatres for limited distribution in 2007. The film stars Waititi's then real-life partner, [[Loren Horsley]], as Lily. The same year, he wrote and directed one episode of the TV show ''[[Flight of the Conchords (TV series)| Flight of the Conchords]]'', and was director of another.
His first feature film, the 2007 romantic comedy ''[[Eagle vs Shark]]'', was released to U.S. theatres for limited distribution in 2007. The film stars Waititi's then real-life partner, [[Loren Horsley]], as Lily. The same year, he wrote and directed one episode of the TV show ''[[Flight of the Conchords (TV series)| Flight of the Conchords]]'', and was director of another.


His second feature, ''[[Boy (2010 film)|Boy]]'', premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in January 2010.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560139/releaseinfo Release Dates for Boy]</ref><ref>[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1858193/2010_sundance_film_festival_lineup_announced Rotten Tomatoes: Sundance Festival]</ref> and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560139/awards Boy (2010) Awards]</ref> On its release in New Zealand it received top reviews<ref name="NZ_Herald_10634211">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10634211 |title=Boy |author=Calder, Peter |date=25 March 2010 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=16 November 2011}}</ref> and did very well at the box office, eclipsing several records.<ref>[http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/waititis-boy-sets-new-record-for-new-zealand-film/5014267.article '''Waititi's Boy sets new record for New Zealand film"''], screendaily.com</ref>
His second feature, ''[[Boy (2010 film)|Boy]]'', premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in January 2010.<ref name="imdb">{{cite web| url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560139/releaseinfo| title=Release Dates for Boy| publisher=IMDb.com| accessdate=2012-12-02}}</ref><ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web| title=2010 Sundance Film Festival Lineup Announced| date=2 December 2009| url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1858193/2010_sundance_film_festival_lineup_announced Rotten Tomatoes: Sundance Festival| author=RT Staff| publisher=rottentomatoes.com| accessdate=2012-12-02}}</ref> and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.<ref name="awards">{{cite web| url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560139/awards| title=Awards for Boy (2010)| publisher=IMDb.com| accessdate=2012-12-02}}</ref> On its release in New Zealand it received top reviews<ref name="NZ_Herald_10634211">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10634211 |title=Boy |author=Calder, Peter |date=25 March 2010 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=16 November 2011}}</ref> and did very well at the box office, eclipsing several records.<ref name="screen">{{cite news| author=Wendy Mitchell| date=21 May 2010| url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/waititis-boy-sets-new-record-for-new-zealand-film/5014267.article| work=Screen Daily| title=Waititi's Boy sets new record for New Zealand film| publisher=screendaily.com| accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref>


After the success of ''[[Boy (2010 film)|Boy]]'' Taika set out to take the film's signature track "[[Poi E]]" to number one for the second time on the New Zealand charts. Although his efforts did get the track to number one on [[iTunes]] and number three on the New Zealand chart, the task of reaching the prized spot was near impossible.<ref>[http://zmonline.com/WhosOn/MorningCrew/Highlights/Detail.aspx?id=15007 ZM interview with Waititi]</ref>
After the success of ''[[Boy (2010 film)|Boy]]'' Taika set out to take the film's signature track "[[Poi E]]" to number one for the second time on the New Zealand charts. Although his efforts did get the track to number one on [[iTunes]] and number three on the New Zealand chart, the task of reaching the prized spot was near impossible.<ref name="zm">{{cite episode| date=22 March 2010| url=http://zmonline.com/WhosOn/MorningCrew/Highlights/Detail.aspx?id=15007| network=[[ZM (New Zealand)|ZM]]| series=Marcus Lush| airdate=22 March 2010| title=Interview with Taika Waititi| city=Auckland| accessdate=2012-12-02}}</ref>


In March 2010, it was announced that Waititi would portray [[Thomas Kalmaku]] in the live-action superhero film, ''[[Green Lantern (film)|Green Lantern]]''.<ref>http://www.heatvisionblog.com/2010/03/green-lantern-taps-two-kiwi-actors-exclusive.html</ref> He has since completed that work, the film having debuted on 17 June 2011.
In March 2010, it was announced that Waititi would portray [[Thomas Kalmaku]] in the live-action superhero film, ''[[Green Lantern (film)|Green Lantern]]''.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news| title=Two kiwi actors join "Green Lantern"| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/16/us-greenlantern-idUSTRE62F0EV20100316| author=Borys Kit| work=Reuters| publisher=Reuters.com| date=15 March 2010| accessdate=2011-02-12}}</ref> He has since completed that work and the film debuted on 17 June 2011.


In 2011 Taika's TV series, [[Super City (tv series)|Super City]] will hit NZ TV screens. It stars [[Madeleine Sami]] who plays five characters living in the one city.<ref>[http://www.tv3.co.nz/Shows/SuperCity.aspx Super City website]</ref>
In 2011 Taika's TV series, [[Super City (tv series)|Super City]] will hit NZ TV screens. It stars [[Madeleine Sami]] who plays five characters living in the one city.<ref name="city">{{cite web| title=Super City| url=http://www.tv3.co.nz/Shows/SuperCity.aspx| publisher=TV3| accessdate=2012-12-02}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 15:46, 2 December 2011

Taika Waititi
Born (1975-08-16) 16 August 1975 (age 49)
New Zealand
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter and comedian.

Taika Waititi (born 16 August 1975), also known as Taika Cohen, is a New Zealand-born film director, writer, painter, comedian and actor named as one of Variety's "ten new directors to watch" in 2007.[1]

His 2010 film Boy has done very well in New Zealand, eclipsing several records,[2][3] and he was nominated for an Academy Award for his 2003 short film Two Cars, One Night.

Background

Waititi hails from the Raukokore area of the East Coast region of New Zealand[4] and his father is a Maori of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. Waititi has used his Jewish mother's surname of Cohen for some of his work in film and writing.[5]

Comedy work

While a drama student at Victoria University of Wellington he was part of the five-member ensemble, So You're a Man – touring New Zealand and Australia with some success.

He was one half of the comedy duo The Humourbeasts with Jemaine Clement – recipients of New Zealand's highest comedy accolade, the Billy T Award, in 1999.

Film

In 1999, he starred in the successful low-budget Dunedin film Scarfies.

His 2003 short film Two Cars, One Night earned him an Academy Award nomination. At the awards ceremony, he famously feigned falling asleep, as the nominations were being read out.[4]

His first feature film, the 2007 romantic comedy Eagle vs Shark, was released to U.S. theatres for limited distribution in 2007. The film stars Waititi's then real-life partner, Loren Horsley, as Lily. The same year, he wrote and directed one episode of the TV show Flight of the Conchords, and was director of another.

His second feature, Boy, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2010.[6][7] and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.[8] On its release in New Zealand it received top reviews[9] and did very well at the box office, eclipsing several records.[10]

After the success of Boy Taika set out to take the film's signature track "Poi E" to number one for the second time on the New Zealand charts. Although his efforts did get the track to number one on iTunes and number three on the New Zealand chart, the task of reaching the prized spot was near impossible.[11]

In March 2010, it was announced that Waititi would portray Thomas Kalmaku in the live-action superhero film, Green Lantern.[12] He has since completed that work and the film debuted on 17 June 2011.

In 2011 Taika's TV series, Super City will hit NZ TV screens. It stars Madeleine Sami who plays five characters living in the one city.[13]

References

  1. ^ Ross, Mathew. "10 Directors to Watch", Variety, 17 January 2007
  2. ^ Churchouse, Nick (24 April 2010). "Home Boy hit helps keep local cameras rolling". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Boy Now Top Grossing NZ Film Of All Time". Voxy.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Text "20 May 2010" ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b "Taika Waititi". NZ On Screen.
  5. ^ Nate Bloom (10 July 2007). "Interfaith Celebrities: Kyra Sedgwick, Baseball's Braun-y Interfaith Rookie and a Jewish Maori director". InterfaithFamily.com. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Release Dates for Boy". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  7. ^ RT Staff (2 December 2009). Rotten Tomatoes: Sundance Festival "2010 Sundance Film Festival Lineup Announced". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2 December 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ^ "Awards for Boy (2010)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  9. ^ Calder, Peter (25 March 2010). "Boy". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  10. ^ Wendy Mitchell (21 May 2010). "Waititi's Boy sets new record for New Zealand film". Screen Daily. screendaily.com. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Interview with Taika Waititi". Marcus Lush. 22 March 2010. ZM. Retrieved 2 December 2012. {{cite episode}}: More than one of |airdate= and |date= specified (help); Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Borys Kit (15 March 2010). "Two kiwi actors join "Green Lantern"". Reuters. Reuters.com. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Super City". TV3. Retrieved 2 December 2012.

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