''Gloriavale'' is a 2022 New Zealand documentary film, focusing on the Gloriavale Christian Community of the

West Coast Region The West Coast () is a region of New Zealand on the west coast of the South Island. It is administered by the West Coast Regional Council, and is known co-officially as Te Tai Poutini. It comprises the territorial authorities of Buller Distri ...

Synopsis

The film documents and examines the Gloriavale Christian Community and the widespread abuse experienced there by many current and former members. The filmmakers follow the story of the Ready family, who were

excommunicated Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to deprive, suspend, or limit membership in a religious community or to restrict certain rights within it, in particular those of being in communion with other members of the con ...

from Gloriavale, and begin mounting a legal case against the leaders of the community.

Production

The film was directed by Fergus Grady and Noel Smyth, who had previously worked together on the 2019 documentary film ''Camino Skies''. It makes use of archival footage and home videos taken by members of the community. ''Gloriavale'' received funding from

Screen Australia Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government's key funding body for the Australian screen production industry, created under the ''Screen Australia Act 2008''. From 1 July 2008 Screen Australia took over the functions of its predecess ...

in 2021. The film was selected as to be highlighted by Docs-in-Progress at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

Release

The film debuted on 6 August 2022 at the

Isaac Theatre Royal The Isaac Theatre Royal (formerly known as the Theatre Royal) is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand, designed by brothers Sidney and Alfred Luttrell. Built in 1908, it is the only operational Edwardian-style theatre remaining in ...

in Christchurch as a part of the

New Zealand International Film Festival The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) () is a film festival held annually across New Zealand. The festival is operated by the New Zealand Film Festival Trust. It programmes international and New Zealand films. History The festiva ...

, and was the closing film of the festival in Auckland on 7 August. It received a release in New Zealand cinemas on 17 August. As of September 2022, it is the fifth highest grossing film of New Zealand origin at the New Zealand box office for 2022.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gloriavale film 2022 films 2022 documentary films 2020s New Zealand films Documentary films about Christianity Documentary films about women and religion Films about cults New Zealand documentary films Films set in New Zealand Films shot in New Zealand