A Christchurch film festival is about to feature two world premieres on New Zealand's two biggest stories of the past decade – the Christchurch earthquakes and the Pike River disaster.
But the documentaries The Art of Recovery and The Women of Pike River have a different take – one that the authorities won't like.
Street art that sprang up after Christchurch's big earthquakes inspired Peter Young's documentary.
"Being a cameraman, it's so easy to pick up a camera and film something I find interesting, and that's what happened with Art of Recovery," says Young.
What began as a few shots here and there evolved into a world premiere on a big topic – the best way for a city to recover from a disaster.
Young followed a group called Gapfillers and other artists as they tried to make the city liveable again through their art.
"I love the central city and the ruins and the way the buildings were coming down and going up – just so dynamic."
He's contrasted that approach with the Government's Blueprint, a centrally-controlled plan launched after 100 days of discussion behind closed doors.
"The Government put a lot of faith in big business to rebuild Christchurch, and I would have to say I don't have as much faith in big business to put the heart and soul into this town," says Young. "I think it's going to come from the people, from the ground."
Young was also cameraman on The Women of Pike River, the inside story of six women who lost relatives in the Pike River tragedy.
"I think both of the films are quite provocative in the way they position their stories and work as great discussion pieces," says festival director Bill Gosden.
Both movies will premiere at the Isaac Theatre Royal early next month.
3 News