The Ground We Won - Manhood Friendship & Rugby

A verite documentary study of manhood as observed through the rites and rituals of a rural New Zealand rugby club. With ... (more)

A verite documentary study of manhood as observed through the rites and rituals of a rural New Zealand rugby club. With great bawdiness and camaraderie, an eclectic rugby team of farmers strive to redeem themselves from a long run of bitter loses. In the face of the hefty demands of farming and fatherhood, the Saturday game becomes the focus of the men’s passions and the ground on which their worth is proved. With incredibly privileged access inside this sacred men’s zone, the film captures a fascinating season of traditions, debauchery and friendship, as the men reclaim their faith in themselves...Employing an immersive, observational filmmaking approach, husband and wife filmmakers Miriam Smith & Chris Pryor lived in Reporoa for a year to shoot The Ground We Won. Throughout the lengthy filming process, nothing was ever scripted or constructed - ensuring that every moment captured in the film is breathtakingly authentic, real-life gold. The team also created the award-winning New Zealand documentary How Far is Heaven. (less)