Among the Cinders (1983), is a New Zealand-German coming-of-age drama based on the novel by Maurice Shadbolt.
Among the Cinders (1983) Movie Summary
Among the Cinders is a drama directed by Rolf Haedrich and starring Paul O’Shea, Derek Hardwick, and Rebecca Gibney (in one of her early roles).
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Plot Summary
The film follows Nick Flinders (Paul O’Shea), a lonely and emotionally troubled New Zealand teenager. Nick’s life is shattered after a tragic hunting accident in the remote bush results in the accidental death of his close friend, Sam Waikai, a Māori boy. Nick is injured but, more devastatingly, is consumed by overwhelming guilt and responsibility for the loss of his friend.
Struggling with his grief and his fractured relationship with his parents, Nick flees his home to seek refuge with his eccentric Grandfather, Hubert Flinders (Derek Hardwick), on his remote farm.
In this new environment, and with the unconventional guidance of his grandfather, Nick embarks on a journey of self-discovery and maturity. His grandfather, a colorful and non-conformist character, takes Nick on excursions to old haunts. During this time, Nick finds a sense of connection and begins to learn about life and love, particularly through a romantic encounter.
The film focuses on Nick’s painful transition from adolescence into manhood as he grapples with the traumatic accident and ultimately finds a way to move past his crushing sense of guilt.
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Availability
Among the Cinders is an older New Zealand production and is not widely available on major international streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video.
- Streaming/Rental: It is generally not available for streaming in most regions.
- Specialized Platforms: The film may occasionally be available on specialized platforms dedicated to New Zealand cinema, such as NZ On Screen (which offers excerpts and information) or New Zealand-based on-demand services like AroVision, though access may be limited to specific geographic regions.
- Physical Media: Availability is often limited to rare VHS copies or specialized DVD-R services.
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