UPCOMING screenings
Click the red button for a link to latest showing for West of Eden .
West of Eden is now available on Amazon Prime US & UK.
If you missed out on viewing West of Eden through cinemas in New Zealand or can't get Amazon Prime you can rent or purchase West of Eden from VIMEO ON DEMAND.
New Zealand feature film by Alastair Riddell.
Forbidden love. Bitter revenge. A family torn apart.
This is the story of Billy and Tom, two young men who fall in love in 1960's rural New Zealand. They believe in honesty and truth, but neither will be accepted by society if they stay true to themselves. A tinderbox of deceit and malice emerges as Billy discovers that he is not the only one fighting his desires and hiding his demons.
Inspired by a true story, West of Eden is a beautiful film, sumptuously wrapped in nostalgia and bristling with drama. Step back in time and become immersed in the passion and tension of a forbidden love.
rEVIEW
PAUL HARTIGAN - renowned NZ artists - (https://www.internationalartcentre.co.nz/gallery/Hartigan/Paul/)
Vanessa & Alastair,
I went to see this film last night, with no knowledge of it at all, just a feeling that it could be good, mostly based on the film's poster and my gut intuition (more often right than not). How right I was, an outstanding film in all respects, a knotty festering drama full of portentous events unfolding spookily like a NZ bush waterfall. Gripping and engaging, an excellent script with well developed characters who you cared about or desperately wanted to throttle. I liked the way it was art directed, directed and acted, it didn't suffer the inevitable 'made in New Zealand' syndrome that affects so much New Zealand cinema to the point of disappointing cliche. I also liked the way the period cars were chosen and featured in the film, cars often grate with irrelevant context or are 'too shiny' given the script. Congratulations to all involved.
Ps the music score was excellent, sensitively supporting and integrated into the core of the film. Great title too. Giant and East of Eden are of course, embedded in our conscienceless, but West of Eden is a completely original film. - it shines.
Best regards
Paul Hartigan
our night of
glitz & Glamour
Vanessa and Alastair Riddell at The Vic celebrating their premier of West of Eden in 2017
Kieran Foster, Brighde Riddell, Luke Thompson
Liam Fennell, Peter Ford
Thank you everyone who came to our premiere. This was a very special evening celebrated with glamour and style at the elegant Vic theatre in Devonport.
Our lovely guests were able to mix and mingle with our wonderful cast and crew before sitting back and enjoying the first ever screening of West of Eden.
Kieran Foster and Luke Thompson
West of Eden
Lead actors: Kieran Foster and Luke Thompson enjoying the celebrations. Before the screening cast and crew, celebrities, the Pride Festival and the public mingled over a glass of bubbly.
Premiere for West of Eden at The Vic.
Celebrating in style
A fabulous crowd spilling out onto the footpath. Thank you to the Jowett Club for the classic cars parked outside the theatre, their presence added a touch of nostalgia and class to the evening.
Victoria Picture Palace & Theatre in Davenport
The Vic Cinema
48-56 Victoria Rd
Devonport
Auckland 0624
(09) 446 0100
Graham, Alastair riddell, Vanessa Riddell, Colin Mathura -Jeffree
Richard Burton, Vanessa Riddell, Anne Batley-Burton, Alastair Riddell
Dean Carruthers, Pete Hansen
West of Eden World Premiere at The Vic
Actors, writers, film producers and media mingled ahead of the world premiere screening of Kiwi film West of Eden, screened on the Shore. The February 22nd event was held at The Vic in Devonport, where two screens simultaneously showed the locally-made independent film, written by Vanessa Riddell and directed by husband Alastair Riddell. Starring actors Kieran Foster and Luke Thompson, the movie charts the 'forbidden love' of two men in 1960s rural New Zealand. Much applause followed the film, which officially opens to the public on March 9th.
By Heather Vermeer
Channel Magazine: Issue 74 March 2017
Premiere Gallery
