A Sense of Place (2009)

CO-PRODUCED BY PORTER PICTURES

A meditation on life, wine and art the narrative for A Sense of Place revolves around characters connected to a New Zealand vineyard.

The central theme to the film is based on ‘terroir’ - directly translated the French word means soil but is commonly used in the wine trade as an expression relating to a spectrum of environmental influences impacting on a wine’s character. Generally influences can include climate, topography and geology, whose impact on the multiple varietals combine to form the distinctive ‘vin de terroir’ styled wines. The ‘Old World’ (European style) wines define themselves through this relationship to the earth and its ‘sense of place’. New Zealand is however generally associated with the ‘New World’ and its innovative approach to the wine industry. There is no singular translation of ‘terroir’, nothing in the English language provides equivalent resonance.

Film production photo for the NZ short film 'A Sense of Place' (2009). Actors, Sally Stockwell and Charles Grubb on location in north Canterbury

Actors, Sally Stockwell and Charles Grubb on location at Bellbird Spring vineyard, North Canterbury.

Credits

Writer/Director: ALEXANDRA PORTER

Producers: BELMONT PRODUCTIONS and PORTER PICTURES

DOP: JOHN CHRISSTOFFELS

Camera Assist: MIKE KELLAND & ED LUST

Editor: MIKE KELLAND

Graphic Artist: NICK WHITE

Field Sound: TIM BROTT

Graphics Photography: MIKE BOULDEN

Sound Design: CAMPBELL PLATT

Re-recording Engineer: BEN STOCKWELL

Post Audio Facilities: READE AUDIO

Art Dept: RUTH KORVER & TRACY McCAW

Music: PHIL JOHNS

Music Producer: JODY LLOYD

Cast: GEOFF ROBINSON, ELIJAH PŌHIO, NICK WHITE, NORMAN FORSEY, CHARLES GRUBB, SALLY STOCKWELL, PATRICK DUFFY, BILL DE FREIZ, MILLIE WOODS, CHARLIE GATES, MARCUS HILL, HELEN MORAN, COSMO KENTISH-BARNES, FORTUNE NDLEDA, VANESSA WELLS, DERECK McKEE and MARTIN HOWELLS.

Production photo for NZ short film 'A Sense of Place' (2011). Director, Alexandra Porter enjoying the production of bubbles for an upcoming scene

Director, Alexandra Porter enjoys the "bubble scene" on location at Bellbird Spring vineyard, North Canterbury.

Film production photo for NZ short film 'A Sense of Place' (2011). DOP, John Chrisstoffells and Grip, Ed Lust set up a dolly shot with actress, Mildred Woods

Actress Mildred Woods waits patiently while DOP John Chrisstoffels and Camera Assist, Ed Lust set up the dolly shot.

Film production photo for NZ short film 'A Sense of Place' (2011). DOP, John Chrisstoffells waiting for the right light on location in north Canterbury

DOP John Chrisstoffels waiting for the right light, on location at Bellbird Spring vineyard, North Canterbury.

Festivals & Screenings 2010-2012

Oenovideo 16th International Grape and Wine Film Festival, France

31st Black Maria Film and Video Festival, U.S.A. (touring)

3rd Annual Moving Image Film Festival, Canada

Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, New Mexico

City Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Ōtautahi/ Chch.

Platform Arts Festival, Alice Cinema, Ōtautahi/ Chch.