Among the Cinders is a 1983 New Zealand-West German drama film directed by Rolf Hädrich and starring Paul O'Shea, Amanda Jones, Derek Hardwick and Yvonne Lawley. After a hunting accident in which his friend is killed (for which he blames himself) a boy (Nick) runs away from home and goes to live with his grandparents, where he matures into a man.
The film is based on the 1965 novel of the same name by New Zealand author Maurice Shadbolt, who appears in the film as Frank Flinders.
Premise Nick Flinders is a lonely and moody youth. The one friend he has is a Maori boy, Sam Waikai. While they are hunting together in the bush, Sam is accidentally killed. Nick is injured, but he feels guilty and responsible for his friend's death. With the help of his eccentric grandfather, Nick learns about life and love.
Cast Paul O'Shea ... Nick Flinders Amanda Jones ... Glenys Appleby Derek Hardwick ... Hubert Flinders, grandfather Yvonne Lawley ... Beth Flinders, grandmother Rebecca Gibney ... Sally Bridget Armstrong ... Helga Flinders, mother Maurice Shadbolt ... Frank Flinders Marcus Broughton ... Derek Flinders Christopher Hansard ... Michael Ricky Duff ... Sam Waikai Harata Solomon ... Mrs. Waikai Michael Haigh ... Sergeant Crimmins Peter Baldock ... Clergyman Cherie O'Shea ... Nurse Tom Poata ... Ahu Ngaire Woods ... Kate Des Kelly ... Fred Sal Criscillo ... Photographer Sela Apera ... Tera Helena Ross ... Glenys' mother Tamata Paua Bailey ... Māori orator Lorna Langford ... Postmistress David Hamilton ... Photograpjher's assistant Ken Nicholas ... Golfer Lil and Puti Te Runa ... Golfer's family Cindy Turipa ... Sam's sister Shelley Simpson ... model Jill Ann Davis ... model Brett Tucker
Production and screening
The film was made in 1983, but not submitted to the New Zealand censor until 1987. It has screened on New Zealand television and often on German television. It was shown at the 1984 Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Czechoslovakia, and Derek Hardwick got a Special Jury Prize.
References New Zealand Film 1912-1996 by Helen Martin & Sam Edwards (1997, Oxford University Press, Auckland)
External links
Among the Cinders at the BFI Database