It turns out big brother was always watching.
Completed just in time for the New Zealand International Film Festival, new Kiwi documentary The 5th Eye examines New Zealand's close and covert intelligence gathering relationship with the United States post the ANZUS break-up.
The film, by Errol King and Abi King-Jones, uses the infamous break-in by the 'Waihopai Three' at the US spy base near Blenheim in 2008 as its fulcrum; the sometimes blundering efforts of the trio are sprinkled throughout the film's two hour length in interviews and recreations.
There is no narrator. Instead, the thoughts of the protestors, investigative journalist Nicky Hagar and others help drive The 5th Eye's narrative along with ease, while ample use is made of historical TV news clips.
John Campbell's grilling of John Key over the GCSB bill is especially memorable.
Those unfamiliar with New Zealand's role in the Five Eyes network, the group of Anglo Saxon countries that participate in covert intelligence data gathering and sharing, will have their eyes sustainably widened.
Edward Snowden makes an appearance, as does Kim Dotcom, with the raid on his mansion and the rather underwhelming 'moment of truth' during his brief political career become important pieces of film's puzzle.
But it's the 'Waihopai Three' who are the film's real stand-out protagonists. The story of the ageing priest, family man and young activist, and how they strove to open New Zealand's eyes to what was going on at the spy base is a truly compelling one.
The fact that they almost gave up on their 'mission' on that fateful night after events conspired against them is often overlooked. They crashed the truck purchased to help them 'jump' over Waihopai's security fence, and had to revert to a far more dangerous method to break in and 'pop' one of the satellite domes.
But while the film is fine summation of all these elements, it doesn't really tell us anything new - although the fact that New Zealand frigates illegally escorted US warships during the 2003 invasion of Iraq certainly surprised me.
What The 5th Eye does very well is gather all the elements together into a concise and at times entertaining binge watch of the post-ANZUS charade, the Waihopai break in, and the subsequent battle over the GCSB bill.
After two hours spent with The 5th Eye, you might view New Zealand's military relationship with the US a little differently than you do now.
Three-and-a half stars.
This film is playing as part of the 2016 New Zealand International Film Festival.
The 5th Eye:: Directors: Errol Wright, Abi King-Jones:: Starring: Adrian Leason, Peter Murnane, Sam Land, Nicky Hager, Murray Horton, Michael Knowles, Paul Buchanan, Thomas Beagle, Robert Patman, Richard Jackson, Keith Locke, Jon Stephenson, Moana Cole, Jane Kelsey, Omar Khamoun, Tim McBride, Rodney Harrison, Graham Murdock, May Bass, Jennifer Robinson, Will Potter:: Rating: Exempt:: Running Time: 112 minutes
Reviewed by Tony Wright / Newshub.
