Some people think fighting climate change and inequality makes you a crazy communist.
In this short documentary, we get to know the “world’s politest man” and an indigenous activist, who between them share a special bond through the leadership of the New Zealand Green Party. Standing for their beliefs at the height of the Covid pandemic, we can decide for ourselves, is it they who are crazy? Or those who ridicule them?
Crazy Bloody Greens premiered at the DCEFF festival in Washington DC in 2022, then toured Aotearoa New Zealand at Green Party events, inspiring audiences before the 2023 general election.
Watch the trailer above, or click here to see the full film on Vimeo (40 minutes)
About the film
Marama Davidson juggles being a mother of six with the intense demands of being a government minister and co-leader of the Greens, and the ongoing challenges of being an indigenous woman in politics. We discover both the deep foundation of her māori kaupapa (principles), and her ability to laugh – loudly – at herself.
James Shaw is passionate about his role as Minister for Climate Change, fiercely supportive of his co-leader Marama, and uses his training in standup comedy to take the edge off serious meetings. He’s survived multiple media scandals, physical attack, and been dubbed “the world’s politest man”.
In Crazy Bloody Greens, an independent, self-funded project, we get an exclusive inside look at the final weeks of the 2020 election as Marama and James strive for visibility against the popularity of Jacinda Ardern, into 2021 where James travels to COP26.
About the filmmakers
Bryce Groves - Director/Producer
Bryce is a multi-disciplinary creative director with two decades experience across advertising, design, photography and video production. After studying documentary film in London, he has collaborated with diverse international creative and production talent, helping transform organisations and brands with film and storytelling, while pursuing documentary opportunities.
See more of Bryce’s work at www.bvg.nz
Nia Phipps - Executive Producer
Nia is a Creative Producer/Impact Producer working across documentary disciplines including short form and long form. Recent credits include co-producing/directing High Tide Don't Hide, a feature documentary which headlined at Hawai'i International Film Festival, among others. Nia spent several years as part of the Talent Development team at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga - New Zealand Film Commission.
Paul Dodge - Cinematographer/Producer
Paul is a filmmaker, photographer, musician and graphic designer, currently based in Foxton Beach in New Zealand. Producing high level video content for cultural and environmental initiatives, Paul shoots and edits documentaries and web-series from across Aotearoa to as far away as Haiti, and has a passion for telling heartfelt local stories.
Watch a clip - ‘whānau’
Bonus clip - ‘Dance’
This self-funded film would not have been possible without the generosity and support of many contributors, friends, and organisations, including Department of Post, DocEdge, and the DCEFF festival team.