Two of New Zealand's funniest women have joined forces on a new film which has just begun principal photography in Auckland.
The comedy features the off and on-camera talents of Funny Girls veterans Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami, who are writing, directing and starring in The Breaker Upperers.
They play the lead roles of Jen and Mel, a pair of cynical misfits who earn a living by breaking up unhappy couples for cash.
Australian comedian Celia Pacquola leaps the ditch to join the fray, in addition to other local favourites Rima Te Wiata, Cohen Holloway and Nic Sampson.
The Breaker Upperers also marks the return to the big screen of Boy star James Rolleston, his first role since his nasty car accident last year.
Sami and van Beek welcome Taika Waititi as executive producer on the film, under his Piki Films banner.
"I'm so happy that our second Piki film is going into production," says Waititi.
"Women are hugely under-represented in the film industry so I'm very proud that two of our best comedians, who just happen to be women, are getting to make their movie."
"Most of our key cast and crew are women which feels exciting," adds van Beek.
"And many of our heads of department are job sharing in order to fulfill their filmmaking ambitions whilst also raising families. If this film helps to establish this model as a popular way of working, I'll be extremely happy."
The Breaker Upperers looks set for release early next year.
Newshub.
