Matthew Metcalfe
{{Short description|New Zealand film and documentary producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Matthew Metcalfe
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=NZL|size=100%|ONZM}} {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|FRHistS|FRGS}}
| image = Matthew_Metcalfe_2025.jpg
| image_upright =
| caption = Metcalfe in 2025
| birth_name = Matthew Christian Metcalfe
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
| alma_mater = {{ubl|University of Auckland|University of Oxford}}
| occupation = Film producer and writer
| years_active = 1998–present
| notable_works = {{ubl|The Dead Lands|Dean Spanley|Whina}}
| spouse = Elizabeth Metcalfe
| relatives = Di McCarthy (stepmother)
}}
Matthew Christian Metcalfe {{Post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZM}} is a New Zealand film producer and screenwriter known for his biographical and documentary films. He has also produced comedies and drama films, as well as being involved in several television series. In December 2024, Metcalfe was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the film industry.
In the early 2000s, Metcalfe worked as a music producer in the early 2000s before moving into film and television. He produced several short films, before producting feature films and television series. Notable films he has produced include Dean Spanley (2008), The Dead Lands (2014), Beyond The Edge (2013), Whina (2022), McLaren (2017), Mothers of the Revolution (2021) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (2023) and The Lie (2024).
Early life and education
Metcalfe was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His family moved to Papua New Guinea to then Canberra, Australia, when Metcalfe was a child.
He did military service in Australia and New Zealand. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Auckland University, and later the University of Oxford, England, where he received an Advanced Diploma in English History. He was interested in film during his student days.{{Cite web |title=Matthew Metcalfe |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/matthew-metcalfe/biography |access-date=2021-08-08 |website=NZ On Screen}}{{Cite web|title=Matthew Metcalfe|url=https://bigscreensymposium.com/teams/matthew-metcalfe/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Big Screen Symposium|language=en-US}}
Career
= 1998–2003: music videos and short films =
Metcalfe worked as a music video producer in the early 2000s, with Shihad, Hayley Westenra and Che Fu. Metcalfe's first credit as a producer was for the 1999 short film, 9 Across. He was involved with the script writer, Jesse Warn who was promised to getting 9 Across on-screen.{{Cite web|title=9 Across|url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/9-across|access-date=2021-08-08|website=New Zealand Film Commission}} 9 Across won the script writer an award for Best Contribution to a Short at the 1999 NZ Film and TV Awards.{{Cite web|title=9 Across {{!}} Short Film|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/nine-across-1998|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ On Screen}}
During the early 2000s Metcalfe started working on more short films and music videos. Working in between jobs as a waiter, shelf stacker and cinema usher. At one point he went into the New Zealand Radio station, bFM and offered to make a music video for any band with a budget of $1,000. He then went on to produce music videos for Shihad and Hayley Westenra. In 2001 he produced the Tui-Award-winning music video for Che Fu's Fade Away.{{Cite web|title=Awards {{!}} Fade Away {{!}} Music Video|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/fade-away-2001/awards|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ On Screen}}
= 2003–2007: early films =
Metcalfe teamed up again with film writer Jesse Warn to work on more projects. They worked further on with a TV series about the New Zealand band, Steriogram. He teamed up with Warn again to produce the 2003 film Nemesis Game.{{Cite web|title=Nemesis Game|url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/nemesis-game|access-date=2021-08-08|website=New Zealand Film Commission|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Nemesis Game {{!}} Film|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/nemesis-game-2003|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ On Screen}} In 2005 he produced the TV series, Air Force which was about the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He then went to focus on a more personal documentary about his own father, Frank, in Vietnam - My Father's War which was released in 2006.{{Cite web|title=Vietnam - My Father's War {{!}} Television|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/vietnam-my-fathers-war-2006|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ On Screen}}
Around this time Metcalfe started to direct documentaries including the 2007 documentary, Soldiers of Fortune.{{Cite web|title=Breaking the silence|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/breaking-the-silence/UQPTZTTWI2ZO77MVQ7CFIREOYE/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ}} He was also involved in the development of the 2008 feature-length documentary, Relocated Mountains which follows a Kurdish refugee's trip from New Zealand back to Iraq. For both of these films, Metcalfe spent time in Baghdad, Iraq. Metcalfe has noted that during the filming, him and the film crew were being secretly filmed by a kidnap squad.{{Cite web |date=2009-01-31 |title=Dying for a fortune |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/latest-edition/49874/Dying-for-a-fortune |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Relocated Mountains|url=https://itvs.org/films/relocated-mountains|access-date=2021-08-08|website=ITVS}}{{Cite web|date=2007-07-03|title=NZ documentary tells story of Kurdish refugee|url=https://www.thebigidea.nz/node/175965|access-date=2021-08-08|website=The Big Idea|language=en}}
= 2007–2013: documentary film breakthrough =
In 2007, a film that Metcalfe produced, The Ferryman was released. At this point he began working with producer Alan Harris with Dean Spanley which was released in 2008.{{Cite web|title=Kawau Island scriptwriter in running for Bafta|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kawau-island-scriptwriter-in-running-for-bafta/BFR7WAK2F26IV2RSWNFHOCWSGM/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web|title=Dean Spanley|url=https://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/dean-spanley|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Transmission Films|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2012-10-20|title=Sir Ed to conquer Everest in 3D|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/7844118/Sir-Ed-to-conquer-Everest-in-3D|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Kemp|first=Stuart|date=2007-11-01|title=O'Toole, Northam set for 'Spanley'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/otoole-northam-set-spanley-153915/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Honeycutt|first=Kirk|date=2008-10-08|title=Dean Spanley|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/dean-spanley-126275/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}
Metcalfe went on to produce a further four features with Toa Fraser, including, Giselle, The Dead Lands{{Cite web|title=Success at festival big boost for NZ movies|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/success-at-festival-big-boost-for-nz-movies/OEIDNFWEQ7VDYU4T7J64CLIRXA/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ Herald|date=28 August 2014 |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web|title=Watch: Māori culture and New Zealand's natural beauty to be showcased in The Dead Lands TV series|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/watch-maori-culture-and-new-zealands-natural-beauty-to-be-showcased-in-the-dead-lands-tv-series/7ZBZFLZFVKENH2DTHX253K4MJU/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ Herald|date=5 December 2019 |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web|title=Filming Underway On Māori Action Epic the Dead Lands {{!}} Ministry for Culture and Heritage|url=https://mch.govt.nz/filming-underway-m%C4%81ori-action-epic-dead-lands|access-date=2021-08-09|website=mch.govt.nz}}{{Cite web|title=The Dead Lands|url=https://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/dead-lands-the|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Transmission Films|language=en}} and the films, 6 Days{{Cite web|title=International stars arrive to shoot new Kiwi film|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/international-stars-arrive-to-shoot-new-kiwi-film/EBZDS7X55H23HVL3TGCF5ROZZE/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=NZ Herald|date=9 May 2015 |language=en-NZ}} and The Free Man.{{Citation|title=New Zealand International Film Festival: The Free Man|url=http://www.nziff.co.nz/im:60d9bcc2-9542-46d9-9f92-b958656a2f1e/|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-08-08}} He also produced the romantic comedy, Love Birds that was released in 2011. In 2013 he produced the documentary, Beyond The Edge.{{Cite web|date=2013-07-31|title=Sir Edmund Hillary gets film fest love|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/8986043/Sir-Edmund-Hillary-gets-film-fest-love|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Feature Film about Hillary's ascent of Everest is green lit {{!}} Ministry for Culture and Heritage|url=https://mch.govt.nz/feature-film-about-hillary%E2%80%99s-ascent-everest-green-lit|access-date=2021-08-09|website=mch.govt.nz}}{{Cite web|last=Kemp|first=Stuart|date=2013-11-06|title=AFM: Everest Doc 'Beyond The Edge' Sells Wide|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/afm-everest-doc-beyond-edge-653768/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}} Metcalfe also portrayed the English mountaineer and author Wilfrid Noyce in the film.{{Cite web |title=Beyond the edge (2013) - MNTNFILM - Video on demand |url=https://www.mntnfilm.com/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=www.mntnfilm.com |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Beyond the Edge (2013) - IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2468638/fullcredits |access-date=2023-07-20}}
= 2013–2020: further feature films =
File:Matthew Metcalfe 2021.jpg
Metcalfe then worked with New Zealand producer Fraser Brown to work on more documentaries such as, McLaren,{{Cite web|title=McLaren|url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/mclaren|access-date=2021-08-08|website=New Zealand Film Commission|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=McLaren|url=https://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/mclaren|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Transmission Films|language=en}} Born Racer - The Scott Dixon Story and Wayne.{{Cite web|title=Wayne|url=https://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/wayne|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Transmission Films|language=en}} In 2020 Metcalfe produced the documentary, Dawn Raid.{{Cite web|title=Dawn Raid|url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/dawn-raid|access-date=2021-08-08|website=New Zealand Film Commission|language=en}} In 2021, Metcalfe produced Mothers of the Revolution which follows the story of the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp protests.{{Cite web |title=Mothers of the Revolution |url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/mothers-revolution |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=New Zealand Film Commission |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Croot |first=James |date=2022-01-20 |title=Mothers of the Revolution: Kiwi doco looks back at important, inspirational protest |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stuff-to-watch/300499498/mothers-of-the-revolution-kiwi-doco-looks-back-at-important-inspirational-protest |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Stuff |language=en}} In 2022 the film was nominated for the Envy Best Single Documentary award at The Grierson Trust. Dawn Raid was also nominated in 2022 by The Grierson Trust for the Sky Documentaries Best Music Documentary award.{{Cite web |title=The Grierson Trust |url=https://griersontrust.org/grierson-awards/past-awards/2022#nominations |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=griersontrust.org}}
= 2020–2024: ''Whina'', ''The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck'' and ''Billion Dollar Heist'' =
In 2022 Metcalfe was one of the producers for the biographical film about the life of Dame Whina Cooper, Whina.{{Cite web |last=Parkes |first=Melenie |date=2023-01-25 |title=Feature film Whina starring Rena Owen to screen free-to-air on Waitangi Day |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/131056885/feature-film-whina-starring-rena-owen-to-screen-freetoair-on-waitangi-day |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Stuff |language=en}}
In 2023 a documentary film based on the book by Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck was released. Metcalfe served as one of the writers and producers.{{Cite web |title=The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** gets the big screen treatment |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/01/10/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-f-gets-the-big-screen-treatment/ |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=1 News |language=en}} Metcalfe served as one of the producers for the horror mystery film The Tank, which was released late April 2023.{{Cite web |title=The Tank (2023) Review - Voices From The Balcony |url=https://www.voicesfromthebalcony.com/2023/04/17/the-tank-2023-review/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.voicesfromthebalcony.com |language=en-US}} {{Cite news |last=Kenigsberg |first=Ben |date=2023-01-04 |title='The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%!' Review: A Blunt Philosophy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/movies/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-review.html |access-date=2023-02-09 |issn=0362-4331}} In July 2023 Billion Dollar Heist held its first public screening as part of the 2023 New Zealand International Film Festival.{{Citation |title=New Zealand International Film Festival: Billion Dollar Heist |url=https://www.nziff.co.nz/2023/tamaki-makaurau-auckland/billion-dollar-heist/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=BILLION DOLLAR HEIST PLAYS AT NZIFF |url=https://gfcfilms.com/gfc-news/billion-dollar-heist-plays-at-nziff |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=GFC Films |language=en-NZ}}
= 2024-present: ''Never Look Away, The Lie, A Mistake'' and upcoming films =
For the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the film Never Look Away was premiered. Metcalfe was a co-writer, with director Lucy Lawless, for the film, as well as a producer. The film is a feature-length documentary of New Zealand-born CNN photojournalist Margaret Moth.{{Cite web |title=Lucy Lawless' Debut Feature Never Look Away to Premiere at Sundance |url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/news/lucy-lawless-debut-feature-never-look-away-premiere-sundance |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=New Zealand Film Commission |language=en}} The film was directed by Lucy Lawless.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Caryn |date=2024-01-19 |title='Never Look Away' Review: Lucy Lawless Directs a Generic Documentary About a Fearless War Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/never-look-away-review-lucy-lawless-1235788484/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}
In 2024, The Lie was released, which follows the story of Grace Millane, a British tourist who went missing and was later found dead in 2018.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Grace Millane documentary the first NZ film to hit Netflix milestone |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-lie-grace-millane-documentary-no-1-on-netflix-in-new-zealand-and-australia/ALCLESCIDBAVVGQ2MXTI5FVGFE/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} A Mistake was released in June 2024 which was produced by Metcalfe, a medical-drama film which was directed by Christine Jeffs and based on the novel of the same name by Carl Shuker. The film had its world premiere at Tribeca Festival on 7 June 2024.{{Cite web |title=A Mistake {{!}} 2024 Tribeca Festival |url=https://tribecafilm.com/films/mistake-2024 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Tribeca}} Ash, which was released by Metcalfe was released in March 2025.{{Cite web |title=ASH |url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/international/showcase/ash |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=New Zealand Film Commission |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sci-Fi Thriller ASH Gets Digital Streaming Release Date |url=https://www.whentostream.com/news/sci-fi-thriller-ash-gets-digital-streaming-release-date |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=When To Stream |language=en-US}}
Films that are currently{{when|date=October 2024}} awaiting release produced by Metcalfe are Moss & Freud.{{cn|date=October 2024}}
Recognition and awards
Metcalfe is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Geographical Society{{Cite web |title=Society elects 308 new Fellows, Associate Fellows, Members and Postgraduate Members |url=https://royalhistsoc.org/society-elects-308-new-fellows-associate-fellows-members-and-postgraduate-members-december-2022/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Royal Historical Society}}[https://files.royalhistsoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/12102517/Fellows-List-December-2022-final.pdf Fellows list 2022], Royal Historical Society{{Cite web |title=The Team |url=https://gfcfilms.com/theteam |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=GFC Films |language=en-NZ}}
In 2002, Metcalfe won a Tui Award for best music video. This was for Che Fu's, Fade Away video that was released the same year.{{Cite web |title=Awards {{!}} Fade Away {{!}} Music Video |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/fade-away-2001/awards |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.nzonscreen.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Matthew Metcalfe |url=https://bigscreensymposium.com/teams/matthew-metcalfe-2/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=Big Screen Symposium |language=en-US}}
In his film career, Metcalfe has received several accolades. His film Nemesis Game (2003) was nominated for an award at the Qantas Film and Television Awards.{{Cite web |date=2009-09-06 |title=Qantas Film and TV Awards |url=https://thebigidea.nz/news/industry-news/2009/sep/60188-qantas-film-and-tv-awards |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Big Idea |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Qantas Film & Television Awards Winners 2009. On film (Wellington N.Z.) 2009 p.10 |url=https://ucsc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?&context=PC&vid=01CDL_SCR_INST:USCS&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&tab=Everything&docid=cdi_gale_infotrac_238939065 |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=ucsc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com |language=en}}
In 2009, Dean Spanley won the award for Best Feature at the 2009 Qantas Film and Television Awards. This award was shared with co-producer Alan Harris.{{Cite web |title=DEAN SPANLEY |url=https://ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=280558 |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=ngataonga.org.nz |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Dean Spanley |url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/dean-spanley |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=New Zealand Film Commission |language=en}}
In 2013, Metcalfe was awarded Independent Producer of the Year at the SPADA Screen Industry Awards.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2018 |title=SPADA Screen Industry Award 2018 Recipients Announced |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1811/S00517/spada-screen-industry-award-2018-recipients-announced.htm |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}}
Also in 2013, Metcalfe was included in the nomination for Beyond the Edge for Best Documentary at the 2013 Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards.{{Cite web |title=Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Award Nominees 2013 Announced |url=https://www.rialtochannel.co.nz/More/Strands/ID/1970/RCNZ-Film-Award-Nominees-2013-Announced |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.rialtochannel.co.nz}}
In the 2025 New Year Honours, Metcalfe was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the film industry.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=New Year Honours List 2025 - Citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit {{!}} Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) |url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/ny2025-onzm |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.dpmc.govt.nz |language=en}}
Filmography
= Feature films =
= Short films =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Producer |
| 1998
|9 Across |Yes |
| rowspan="2" |2000
|Little Samurai |Yes |
| Her Iliad
|Yes |
| 2004
|Picnic Stops |Yes |
| rowspan="3" |2005
|Auld Lang Syne |Yes |
| Nothing Special
|Yes |
| Rest Stop
|Yes |
= Television =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Producer !Notes |
| 2004
|Steriogram - White Trash to Rock Gods |Yes | |
| 2005
|Air Force |Yes | |
| 2006
|Vietnam - My Father's War |Yes |Also presenter |
| 2007
|Soldiers of Fortune |Yes |Also director |
| 2008
|Relocated Mountains{{Cite web |title=Relocated Mountains {{!}} ITVS |url=https://itvs.org/films/relocated-mountains/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=itvs.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-13 |title=Breaking the silence - New Zealand News |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/breaking-the-silence/UQPTZTTWI2ZO77MVQ7CFIREOYE/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} |Yes |Also writer |
| 2009
|Emilie Richards - Das Paradies am Ende der Welt |Yes | |
| 2012
|Emilie Richards - Spuren der Vergangenheit |Yes | |
| 2019
|No |Executive producer |
| 2022
|No |Executive producer and writer |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/matthew-metcalfe Matthew Metcalfe on NZ on Screen]
- {{imdb name|1195574}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Metcalfe, Matthew}}
Category:New Zealand film producers
Category:Mass media people from Christchurch