Directed by:
Michael DuignanScreenplay:
Michael DuignanCinematography:
Michael DuignanPlots(1)
Former tennis coach Dutch has had it hard since he was the victim of a hit and run car accident a year ago. Limping and embittered, he decides to undergo psychic training to unlock his latent mind-control powers, to find and take revenge on the driver. He finds – or rather is found by – Lyra, a witchy disciplinarian who might perhaps be the perfect psychic tutor, much to Dutch’s chagrin. But all is not what it seems and Lyra herself has an ulterior motive, involving her evil brother Haxan, a parallel universe and a cosmic crystal called The Paragon. Having directed shorts, cooking shows, music videos and episodes of the cult TV show Power Rangers, Michael Duignan’s feature film debut brims with non-stop laughs, budding friendships, the forgiveness of wrongdoings and lo-fi psychedelic antics with a generous serving of sincerity. The Paragon shifts from a tale of the quotidian revenge of an average suburban guy to a battle of psychedelic mind-control forces. With a uniquely Kiwi brand of laconic humour and sincere love of 1980s sci-fi and fantasy, it's a midnight movie cosmic adventure straight from the heart. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)
(more)Cast
Benedict Wall
New Zealand
Best movies:
The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014) (series)
The Pretend One (2017)
No Exit (2022)
Jessica Grace Smith
New Zealand
Best movies:
The Devil's Rock (2011)
Diagnosis: Death (2009)
Jonny Brugh
New Zealand
Best movies:
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Mega Time Squad (2018)
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Michelle Ang
New Zealand
Best movies:
The Beaver (2011)
Triple 9 (2016)
High Flying Bird (2019)
Cameron Rhodes
Best movies:
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014) (series)
Mr. Pip (2012)