Shut Eye feature film Opening Night + Q&A

Come along to this special opening night of Nziff-selected film Shut-eye, with a Q&A to follow with writer/director Tom Levesque and DOP Kelly Chen. Described as a visual and audio feast, this film is not to be missed.

A story that implores us to find true connections in an increasingly disconnected world, Shut Eye follows Sierra (Millie Van Kol) as she journeys to find a remedy for her insomnia. Encouraged by her doctor to explore ASMR, Sierra discovers a local streamer Kate (Sarah May) who soon becomes her go-to when seeking a way to fall asleep. As their online connection grows, Sierra is welcomed deeper into Kate’s world, fueling an obsession that turns self-destructive.

"Inspired by my own journey, the heart of Shut Eye is about acceptance of self... the good, the bad, and everything in between. We're thrilled to be releasing with Rialto to share the film with NZ audiences. After our premiere at the New Zealand International Film Festival, it was great to see how the film connected with people, offering a fresh perspective to timely but timeless themes,” stated writer/director Tom Levesque.

Shot over 16-days throughout Auckland with a crew of first time filmmakers, Shut Eye is set against the diverse and fluid backdrop of an international city going through change. In a world dominated by zoom calls, social distancing, and increasingly condensed living - people’s lifestyles and ways of communicating have isolated them, but their yearning to connect is still physical. Shut Eye takes a deeper look at Sierra’s coming-of-age as she learns that real connection comes from within, and not how many ‘likes’ you get online.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience this compelling contemporary film, and hear from the filmmakers about how they pulled it together.

Tickets available from Rialto.co.nz/Movie/Shut-Eye