The Paragon (M)

The spirit of shoestring-budget, seat-of-your-pants filmmaking of the most inventive sort is alive in Aotearoa, in this homegrown psychedelic fantasy courtesy of Kiwi filmmaker Michael Duignan. Set in Auckland, An everyday schmo, Dutch is special in approximately one way—he’s died recently. The victim of a hit and run, he was technically not of-the-living for about six minutes before he was resuscitated. Now, seriously injured after the accident and needing a crutch to walk, the one-time tennis instructor is out for revenge, and seeks the help of mysterious psychic Lyra (Florence Noble) to teach him how to use telepathy to find the person who hit him. Turns out, it’s the fact that Dutch has died that gives him access to an immense power—and draws him into a reality-bending battle with Lyra’s brother Haxan (Jonny Brugh), who seeks to use a mysterious crystal known as “The Paragon” to take over the world.

Starring: Cameron Rhodes, Jonny Brugh, Jessica Grace Smith, Benedict Wall, Michelle Ang, Shadon Meredith, Florence Noble

Rating: M for Violence, offensive language, sex scenes & drug references

Duration: 83 minutes