No. 2 (film)
| No. 2 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Toa Fraser |
| Written by | Toa Fraser |
| Produced by | Tim Bevan Philippa Campbell Timothy White |
| Starring | Ruby Dee Mia Blake Tuva Novotny |
| Cinematography | Leon Narbey |
| Edited by | Chris Plummer |
| Music by | Don McGlashan |
Production companies | Colonial Encounters Southern Light Films |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films (through Buena Vista International |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 94 mins |
| Language | English |
No. 2, released as Naming Number Two in North America, is a 2006 New Zealand film written and directed by Toa Fraser in his feature film debut. It was released 16 February 2006 in New Zealand and 3 August 2007 in the U.S. It was adapted from New Zealand-Fijian playwright Fraser's 2000 play.
Plot
[edit]Nanna Maria, the matriarch of a Fijian extended family living in a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, feels that the heart and passion has gone out of her clan. One morning, she demands that her grown grandchildren put on a big family feast at which she will name her successor. The grandchildren—Soul, Charlene, Hibiscus, Erasmus, and her favorite, Tyson—reluctantly turn up, Tyson with his new Danish girlfriend, Maria. Family conflicts play out as the difficult day progresses, but in the end the grandchildren—and eventually Nanna's children too—join with cousins and others in a traditional celebration.
Cast
[edit]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Ruby Dee | Nanna Maria |
| Taungaroa Emile | Soul |
| Rene Naufahu | Erasmus |
| Tuva Novotny | Danish Maria |
| Mia Blake | Charlene |
| Xavier Horan | Tyson |
| Miriama McDowell | Hibiscus |
| Nathaniel Lees | Uncle John |
| Joe Folau | pule |
| Tanea Heke | Aunty Cat |
| Pio Terei | Uncle Percy |
| Te Paki Cherrington | Father Francis |
| Antony Starr | Shelly |
Production
[edit]No. 2 was co-produced by Tim White, Tim Bevan, and Philippa Campbell. The production companies were Colonial Encounters and Southern Light Films.[1]
Leon Narbey was cinematographer, Chris Plummer edited the film, and the music was composed by Don McGlashan.[1][2][3] The soundtrack was released as No. 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
The film was shot in the Auckland, New Zealand, suburb of Mount Roskill during the latter part of summer 2005, with interior scenes of Nanna Maria's house taking place on a soundstage at Henderson Valley Studios. Post-production was completed in Wellington, at Park Road Post.[citation needed]
Soon after the arrival of Ruby Dee in New Zealand, the film was put on hold after the news that her husband Ossie Davis had died in the U.S. Dee flew back to attend the funeral. However, before she left New Zealand, she vowed to return and complete the film. The crew were stood down for a three-week period, and principal photography commenced at the beginning of March 2005.[citation needed]
Release
[edit]The film was distributed by Miramax Films, through Buena Vista International.[4])
Awards
[edit]- 2006 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic[5]
- Nomination, 2006 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b New Zealand Film Commission profile
- ^ "Naming Number Two (2006)". IMDb. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- ^ "Tim White". Big Screen Symposium. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Naming Number Two". Box Office Mojo.
- ^ a b Sundance Film Festival 2006 Awards