Copyright Variety
Simon Rex (“Red Rocket“), Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (“Predator: Badlands”) and Grace Palmer (“Animal Control”) are set to star in “God Bless You, Mr Kopu,” the anticipated debut feature from rising Tongan-New Zealand filmmaker Alex Liu (“The Red Room”). Liu penned the screenplay for “God Bless You, Mr Kopu” which won the MGM/Black List open script deal in 2022. The project begins principal photography next week in Auckland, New Zealand, and will be introduced to buyers at the AFM. Radiant Films International has boarded the project for worldwide sales, while AC Independent represents North American rights. Umbrella Entertainment will handle distribution in Australia and New Zealand. The high-concept dark comedic thriller follows Mafu (Schuster-Koloamatangi), a struggling Tongan immigrant who becomes the protégé of charismatic American salesman Marco Cass (Rex). What begins as a dream job quickly unravels into a nightmare as Mafu starts to question his mentor’s methods. Liu, whose latest short “The Red Room” premiered at SXSW Sydney, said “his aim as a filmmaker has always been to expose audiences to Tongan stories in ways we haven’t seen before.” “‘God Bless You, Mr Kopu’ is a twisted ride with a Tongan protagonist that wears its genre influence on its sleeve,” Liu continued. Rex, meanwhile, said “Alex is a talented filmmaker, I love the script, and I can’t wait for global audiences to experience his genius. It’s gonna be crispy.”
