This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Diana Wichtel—acclaimed journalist, author, and beloved cultural commentator. For 36 years, Diana’s sharp wit and moving prose illuminated the pages of the Listener, earning her a place as one of New Zealand’s most distinctive voices.

She is the author of the award-winning memoir Driving to Treblinka: A Long Search for a Lost Father, which won the Ockham New Zealand Book Award, and her latest collection Unreel, a rich and witty anthology of her finest television writing.

In this episode, Diana reflects on her storied career, the experience of being on the other side of the interview, and why television once felt like magic.

Diana will appear on Friday 16 May 2025 to discuss Unreel: A Life in Review as part of the Writers Festival 2025 programme.

Explore the full lineup: writersfestival.co.nz/programmes/main-programme

What to Expect

• Diana Wichtel’s journey as a cultural critic
• Highlights from Driving to Treblinka and Unreel
• A look back at New Zealand’s media landscape
• A sneak peek of her appearance at Writers Festival 2025

Best of Streaming Coming Out

• Another Simple Favour – Prime Video (from 1 May)
• The Four Seasons – Netflix (from 1 May)
• Overcompensating: Season One – Prime Video (from 15 May)
• The Reserve: Limited Series – Netflix (from 15 May)
• Nine Perfect Strangers: Season 2 – Prime Video (from 22 May)
• Fear Street: Prom Queen – Netflix (from 23 May)
• Fountain of Youth – AppleTV+ (from 23 May)
• Bono: Stories of Surrender – AppleTV+ (from 30 May)
• Andor – Still streaming on Disney+ (Premiered in April)

View on Screen in May

• Thunderbolts – 1 May
• Bob Trevino Likes It – 1 May
• Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua – Two Worlds – 1 May
• The Wedding Banquet – 8 May
• Clown In A Cornfield – 8 May
• Tall Tales – 8 May
• Forgive Us All – 8 May
• Final Destination: Bloodlines – 15 May
• Hurry Up Tomorrow – 15 May
• The Salt Path – 15 May
• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – 22 May
• Lilo & Stitch – 22 May
• CCFC Presents: Orson Welles' The Trial – 28 May
• When Fall Is Coming – 28 May
• The Phoenician Scheme – 29 May
• Bring Her Back – 29 May
• Karate Kid Legends – 29 May

View Box: Musical Notes on Rialto Channel

Every Thursday in May at 8:30 PM

• Welcome to the Darkness – Premieres Thursday, 1 May
• Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg – Premieres Thursday, 8 May
• Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus – Premieres Thursday, 15 May
• Mozart's Sister – Premieres Thursday, 22 May
• Mutiny In Heaven: The Birthday Party – Premieres Thursday, 22 May

Stay Connected

Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz
• Instagram: @viewmagnz
• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

Speakers

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
• Diana Wichtel – www.writersfestival.co.nz

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, join host Tom Augustine as he sits down with Paolo Rotondo, an award-winning director, writer, and actor with over 20 years in the film industry. Paolo’s screen credits include feature films The Ugly and Stickmen, as well as television series like Shortland Street, The Making of the Mob: Chicago, and the BBC’s The Luminaries. His successful acting career has paved the way for his work behind the camera, with his debut film Orphans & Kingdoms earning international recognition and multiple festival accolades.

Beyond his contributions to film and television, Paolo, along with Renée Mark, co-founded the Italian Film Festival—a beloved tradition that has brought the best of Italian cinema to Aotearoa for the past decade. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival continues to captivate audiences with a carefully curated selection of Italian films.

The full 2025 programme is now live! The festival will run from April 2025 to January 2026.

🎬 Explore the full lineup and get your tickets at www.italianfilmfestivalnz.com.

• Paolo Rotondo’s journey

• Italian Film Festival 2025

• Insights about the Italian film industry

• Queer – In Cinemas 3 April

• Emmanuelle – In Cinemas 3 April

• Grand Tour – In Cinemas 17 April

• Warfare – In Cinemas 17 April

• Death of a Unicorn – In Cinemas 10 April

• The Penguin Lessons – In Cinemas 17 April

• Small Things Like These – In Cinemas 24 April

• Dying for Sex – Disney+

• Your Friends and Neighbors – Apple TV

• Black Mirror – Netflix

Every Monday in April at 8:30 PM

• There’s Still Tomorrow – Premieres Monday, 7 April

• To Chiara – Premieres Monday, 14 April

• The Eight Mountains – Premieres Monday, 21 April

• La Chimera – Premieres Monday, 28 April

Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz

• Instagram: @viewmagnz

• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine

• Paolo Rotondo – @italianfilmfestivalnz

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, join Tom Augustine as he chats with Maddy Hakaraia de Young (Ngati Kapu), a Producer at Maoriland Productions and Festival Director of Maoriland Film Festival. Maddy is a founding member of Maoriland and leads festival programming. Year-round, she supports the work of the MCT as a producer. Supported by a team of rangatahi, she has spent the last 10 years developing and overseeing the implementation of Te Uru Maire - the Maoriland Rangatahi Strategy. Te Uru Maire nurtures rangatahi to find their voice through film and develop the practical skills to tell their unique stories. Over 200 short films have been made through this programme over the last 10 years, with over 2,000 participating rangatahi, both in New Zealand and internationally. Maddy's work with Te Uru Maire was recognised at the 2021 New Zealander of the Year awards, where she was a semi-finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year.

Aotearoa’s International Indigenous Film Festival (https://maorilandfilm.co.nz/) – Check out the lineup and experience the best of Indigenous storytelling! March 26 – 30, 2025

What to Expect:

• Maddy’s journey
• Maoriland Festival – The MFF is the world’s largest celebration of Indigenous storytelling, with five days of screenings, interactive installations and art exhibitions, industry events, and more.
• A personal reflection

View in Screen in Cinemas in March:

• Mickey 17 – March 16
• The Last Showgirl – March 20
• The Rule of Jenny Pen – March 20
• Black Bag – March 13
• A Working Man – March 27
• The Return – March 27
• Snow White – March 20
• Firebrand – March 13

Best of Streaming Coming Out:

• Daredevil: Born Again (Disney+) – From March 4
• Il Gattopardo/The Leopard (Netflix) – From March 5
• The Electric State (Netflix) – From March 14
• The Residence (Netflix) – From March 20
• The Studio (Apple TV+) – From March 26

View Box:

• Never Look Away – Premieres Saturday, March 22, at 8:30 pm. Review and interview with director Lucy Lawless.

Stay Connected: Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz
• Instagram: @viewmagnz
• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

Speakers:

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
• Maddy Hakaraia de Young – @madicattt

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, join Tom Augustine as he chats with Katie Wolfe, a director, writer, and actor from Aotearoa New Zealand with an impressive career in film, television, and theatre.

Kiwi director Katie Wolfe discusses her powerful new film, The Haka Party Incident, coming to cinemas on January 30th.

Recently awarded the Human Rights Award at the LA Independent Women Film Awards, Katie shares the story behind her impactful latest project.

• The Haka Party Incident – A clash between two cultures
• From theatre to cinema – “You were in the room that day… tell your truth.”
• Arriving at a time of…
• A personal reflection on her journey from Dargaville to New York, her love of music, and her powerful documentaries.

• The Haka Party Incident – In cinemas January 30

• Captain America: New World Order – February 13
• I'm Still Here – February 20
• The Monkey – February 20
• Bird (Waitangi Day)
• September 5 (Waitangi Day)
• Alien Weaponry – September 5 (Waitangi Day)
• Love Hurts – September 5 (Waitangi Day)
• Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – February 13
• Tina – February 27
• Vicious – February 27

• The Gorge (Apple TV+ – February 14)
• Reacher Season 3 (Prime Video – February 20)

• Tom’s pick: Terence by Terrence Malick
• Katie’s top picks: A Complete Unknown and Maria

• Best Interests (Rialto Channel on Sky – from February 25)

Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz
• Instagram: @viewmagnz
• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
• Katie Wolfe – @katiewolfe.nz

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month, join us as we sit down with the incredible Ramon Te Wake, a trailblazing storyteller, award-nominated screen director, presenter, and advocate for untold stories. From groundbreaking projects like Takataapui, the world’s first Indigenous queer TV series, to new work that champions the underdog, Ramon shares a creative journey that spans from Dargaville to New York, music tours to powerful documentaries.

What to Expect:

• Ramon discusses his passion for storytelling and how it fuels his life and career.
• An in-depth look at his most impactful projects, including the world-changing Takataapui and other works that challenge societal norms.
• A personal reflection on his journey from Dargaville to New York, his love of music, and his powerful documentaries.

Featured Films:

• Mafusa the Lion King
• Better Man
• Den of Thieves: Pantera
• The Haka Party Incident
• Dahomey

Summer Horror Highlights:

• Nosferatu
• The Wolf Man
• Presence
• Companion

Awards Hopefuls:

• A Real Pain
• A Complete Unknown
• The Brutalist
• Maria

More to Look Forward To:

• Kraven the Hunter
• LOTR: War of the Rohirrim
• All We Imagine as Light
• Sonic 3
• Conclave
• We Live in Time

Best of Streaming Coming Out:

• Squid Game Season 2
• Severance Season 2

Best Storytelling We’ve Seen in 2024:

• Tom and Ramon’s picks for the standout storytelling moments of the year.

It’s an inspiring episode filled with insights into the world of creativity, storytelling, and advocacy. You won’t want to miss this conversation!

Stay Connected: Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: / viewmagnz
• Instagram: / viewmagnz
• Visit our website: https://www.viewmag.co.nz/

Speakers:

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine
• Ramon Te Wake – @ramont

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

Point of View offers an in-depth exploration of the film industry, focusing on award-winning movies, independent films, and compelling documentaries. Tune in for engaging discussions on current trends, standout performances, and behind-the-scenes stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. The podcast also features movie reviews, offering fresh insights into the latest releases and cinematic masterpieces. Whether you're a film buff or simply curious about the world of entertainment, Point of View provides a comprehensive perspective on everything happening in film.

Stay tuned for next month! Keep in touch with us:

• Facebook
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• Website

Host: Tom Augustine

More about Tom Augustine:

Tom Augustine is an award-winning Auckland-based filmmaker and writer. He has been writing film criticism since 2016, including a regular film column, The Weekend in Film, for the New Zealand Herald’s Canvas Magazine until early 2020. Tom’s writing has appeared in Little White Lies, The New Zealand Herald, The Spinoff, North & South, Metro Magazine, The Pantograph Punch, and others, while his directorial work has been profiled in Clash Magazine, Stuff, and The Spinoff. Tom is the recipient of a NZ Writers Guild Seed Advanced Grant and was recently selected for the inaugural Tāhuna Writers Residency in Queenstown. He currently programs the monthly Capitol Cinema Film Club with filmmaker Amanda Jane Robinson.

Join Tom Augustine and special guest Kate Rodger as they dive into the world of film this November! Kate shares insights on interviewing and holiday season favorites, while Tom talks about film highlights, holiday classics, and what’s hitting the silver screen. Get the scoop on films like Saturday Night, Wicked: Part 1, No Other Land, Red One, and Gladiator II. It’s a cinematic feast you won’t want to miss!

Welcome to the second episode of Point Of View! This episode, Tom is joined by James Partridge, the founder/director of Terror-Fi Film Festival! Stay tuned for next month!

Keep in touch with us:

/ viewmagazinenz

/ viewmagnz

https://www.viewmag.co.nz/

Speakers:

/ thaugustine

/ terrorfifest

/ terrorfifest