'They'd be dressed like they lived in Ponsonby': Robert Sarkies on why he couldn't make Scarfies today
Twenty years ago, a 32-year-old Dunedin native cobbled together $250,000 to make a film.
The script, which he wrote with his younger brother, was a black comedy about five Otago University students who luck into a squat – a rambling old house, which, if somewhat derelict, offers the distinct advantage of free power. They soon discover that power is fuelling heat lamps for a massive marijuana plantation in the basement. It's all fun, games and parties until the pot's owner comes back looking for his stash.
The film was, of course, Scarfies, an instant classic that, set against a backdrop of sticky-floored pubs and NPC finals, captured New Zealand student culture, and particularly Dunedin student culture, in a way that hadn't been done before and arguably hasn't since.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.4% Yes
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33.3% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.