Human Traces

2017

86 mins

Directed by Nic Gorman
86%
71%
Drama
Thriller

Kiwi filmmaker Nic Gorman's feature debut is a thriller set against the rugged backdrop of the Canterbury and Otago coasts.... More

Kiwi filmmaker Nic Gorman's feature debut is a thriller set against the rugged backdrop of the Canterbury and Otago coasts. Stars Sophie Henderson.

"The drama takes place 750 kms south of New Zealand, where husband-and-wife scientist team Sarah (Sophie Henderson) and Glenn (Mark Mitchinson) have been posted to monitor the ecosystem of a remote island. When a mysterious stranger named Pete (Vinnie Bennett) arrives, paranoia and deception begin to disrupt the order. Splitting his film into three chapters, each told from a different character’s perspective, Gorman delights in disorienting his audience. Each new act is designed to reassemble the last: no sooner have you sided with one character than you find your allegiance complicated by the next point of view." (New Zealand International Film Festival)

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Human Traces | Ratings & Reviews

86_%7 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
71_%12 reviews
Audience score rating

"New Zealand cinema has a history of connecting its rugged landscape to the emotional state of its characters. Utu, The Piano, and The Lord of the Rings are just the tip of the iceberg (or glacier if you will). Human Traces may take place 750kms south of the country but it continues in this tradition, setting its action on a remote island with pathos to spare."

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Flicks

"First-time feature writer-director Nic Gorman has delivered a suspenseful, engrossing and very well performed mood piece that marks him as a talent worth watching."

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Variety

"This is Christchurch filmmaker Nic Gorman's feature debut as writer-director - and what intelligent writing and directing it is."

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Stuff

"This is a smart, entertaining, thoughtful and mischievous film with something on its mind and the confidence and know-how to say it. Bravo."

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Stuff

"A surprisingly strong contender for Kiwi film of the year."

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New Zealand Herald

"Patience is rewarded; as the film returns to the beginning twice more, and fills out the gaps with juicy background information and previously-unseen plot points, the tension is urgently elevated and the story sets into gear."

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New Zealand Herald