A charming autobiographical valentine to coming of age in New Zealand during the height of punk, which was the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam opening-night film.

In Christchurch in 1979, teenager Angus (Ed Oxenbould, Wildlife, MIFF 2018; Paper Planes, MIFF 2014) desperately wants to be cool. He’s obsessed with punk music, isn’t above selling fake weed to his friends and harbours a crush on the glam blonde Holly. In the absence of his brother, who lives in London, and mother, who’s departed in a mid-life crisis, leaving behind a fridge full of prepared meals, Angus is afforded plentiful freedom by his quiet, wry father (Marton Csokas, Cuckoo, MIFF 2024). After he bluffs his way into a jam, he’s given a week to start a band and play a show. Luckily, he’s becoming friends with Kirsten (pop artist Benee), who’s far more talented than he is.

Veteran director Jonathan Ogilvie (Lone Wolf, MIFF 2021; This Film Is a Dog, MIFF 1996) entered adolescence against the peak of punk and the dawning of post-punk; in adulthood, he would go on to cut his teeth making music videos for the iconic Flying Nun label. In turn, Flying Nun legend Shayne Carter, of Straitjacket Fits and Dimmer fame, has created the score for Ogilvie’s latest feature-length work – a touching, bittersweet ode to a pivotal time in musical and Kiwi history, sure to charm audiences both young and old.

“Bitingly funny and incredibly moving … Putting his own very distinct spin on the dog-eared but much-loved coming-of-age trope, Ogilvie has yielded a true teen dream with the winningly energetic Head South.” – FilmInk

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Director Jonathan Ogilvie is a guest of the festival and will be in attendance at both sessions of the film.