Following its red-carpet premiere at Tivoli Cinema in Cambridge,local film The Tavern is coming to Luxe Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.

The driving force behind the film, Matt Hicks, was thrilled to be taking it around New Zealand.

Hicks wrote and produced The Tavern, and says it was inspired by his misspent youth in pubs.

“On Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, we’re bringing our 8m of red carpet all the way over from Cambridge in my unwarranted dodgy white van. Even if ya don’t like the film you can still get a great photo of yourself for the ‘gram,” said the 38-year-old.

“Leave your morals and maturity at home and come out for a great night laughing at stuff you shouldn’t.”

Matt Hicks on the Cambridge Town Hall steps. Photo / Supplied

Hicks said he’s excited about coming to Tauranga and meeting the locals.

“I’m a people person and I love meeting new people [particularly fellow filmmakers]. Looking forward to connecting and hearing about other people’s dreams. I’m keen for more crossover between Waikato-BOP filmmakers to happen.”

What’s The Tavern about?

The Tavern is about five small town guys who have a race against time to save their beloved yet run down tavern from an evil Auckland property developer with sinister plans.

Matt, played by Hicks, is a 29-year-old slacker who works part-time at his best friend’s famous older brother’s Cambridge Laundromat.

Despite not being in his dream job, Matt has a seemingly good life. He has a lovely long-term girlfriend Kelly, played by Narina Riddle, (whose dad Phil conveniently owns the tavern), a tight-knit group of mates, and a local tavern which keeps him entertained.

The Tavern is a run-down, eye-sore frequented by few customers with only the annual stripper night drawing a crowd. When Matt and his mates inquire about the date of the next stripper night, Phil tells them that it won’t be happening this year.

Dan Sage (Keitz), left, Stuart Shacklock (Jeremy), Tom Easden (Tomo), Matt Hicks (Matt) and Ryan Jackson (Jacko). Photo / Supplied

Phil’s set to sell the pub to slick Ponsonby property developer Vick Preston who plans on turning it into an upmarket food court called IFD (International Food District).

After a few beers Matt and his mates hatch a plan to buy the pub (with the blessing of Phil who ‘gives them a week’) with a series of bizarre fundraising ideas that test the strength of their relationships.

A five-year labour of love

After months of script writing and re-writing, and approaching numerous Cambridge businesses for sponsorship and funding, Hicks was able to put together a crew and cast to carry out six weeks of principle filming in 2019.

“The interest and generosity of the people of Cambridge was overwhelming and it was because of them that the film is being screened today.”

Josh McKenzie (Vick Preston) played the evil property developer in The Tavern and is now the star of American show The Hunting Party. Photo / Supplied

While Hicks said it was basically just a bunch of friends having a stab, they did manage to wrangle the star of American show The Hunting Party, Josh McKenzie.

“Josh had been on Shortland Street but when I met him, he was down in Taupō working as a golf ball diver at the hole-in-one thing, swimming underwater getting balls.

“I asked him if he was from Shortland Street and told him about the script and he liked the sound of it so jumped on board. It was really organic and we’re really proud of how famous he’s become.”

Covid was both a blessing and a curse for progressing the film.

“We had plenty of time to edit during lockdown but after so many people had struggled in the pandemic, I wasn’t comfortable begging businesses for money to take the film to the next stage.

“My usual work and income as a weekend DJ and hosting quiz nights during the week was completely halted by the pandemic.

“Another dude who worked on the film, Scotty Stone and I went asparagus picking. I’m a better DJ than an asparagus picker but I worked like a dog to pay for finishing this film myself!”

The five mates (from left) Dan Sage (Keitz), Stuart Shacklock (Jeremy), Tom Easden (Tomo), Ryan Jackson (Jacko) and Matt Hicks (Matt). Photo / Ruth Gilmour

Post-Covid, Hicks got an acting role in an indie feature Buzz Cut, and then helped produce another indie feature Home Kills so that took more time away from The Tavern.

“I had to take those opportunities while they were there and the experience, they offered which I was able to apply to The Tavern. Also, becoming a new parent during this time made things crazy busy.”

The feedback

“It’s so random who likes it. We had two 70-something Dutch ladies last night who described it as a new Goodbye Pork Pie.

“They came from Cambridge to Hamilton especially to watch it. They said it was ‘really, really, really good’ and then said they were booking to see it again.”

For most the film is a trip down memory lane. It accurately depicts night life in the pubs in small town New Zealand, where the floors were sticky, the jokes were rough but the beer was always flowing.

“We have multiple cameos from Kiwi celebrities and great Kiwi music in the film from The Datsuns, The Dudes and Goodshirt and of course, Ben Lummis. We’ve actually had crowds standing up and dancing in our screenings. It’s so much fun to see people enjoying themselves in a cinema.”

Cans of Piss branded beer chilling for the premiere. Photo / Supplied

Unable to use any well-known beer brands in the film, Hicks invented a brand of beer called Piss for the Tavern clientele to drink. A North Island brewery joined into the spirit of things and supplied cans for the premieres.

“The film’s pretty offensive and enjoyable nonsense. If you’re looking for The Piano or Power of the Dog, this is not for you. It’s more a hark back to silly Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell stuff - but in a Kiwi pub,” said Hicks.

“Underneath all the crude jokes and silly stuff, it’s ultimately a story about being happy where you are with the people you are with. It’s a story about home and friendship. Even if your home is a crappy pub and your friends are degenerates.”

Watch The Tavern trailer here. Warning, some content may offend some people.

Visit The Luxe Cinema website to see how to get tickets.

Leading ladies Sarah Price (Jen), left, Kylah Caree (Jamie Lee) and Narina Riddle (Kelly). Photo / Ruth Gilmour