Magnet Releasing – the label under which Magnolia Pictures has brought Filth, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, and The Protector 2 to United States – has picked up the North American distribution rights to The Dead Lands. The Maori-language action-adventure had its premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film festival.
After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi – a Maori chieftan’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honor to the souls of his loved ones. Vastly outnumbered by the band of villains, Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious “Warrior,” a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years.
According to an exclusive from Deadline, The Dead Lands will have a (presumably limited, as the American public is allergic to subtitles) theatrical release next year, on an unspecified date.
The film was directed by British filmmaker Toa Fraser, making his first foray into the action genre. Prior to The Dead Lands Fraser was best known for Giselle, a drama based on a ballet, and Dean Spanley, a comedy base on a novel. The cast includes native Kiwis James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse) and Lawrence Makoare (the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series).
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