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Scarfies

  • 1999
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Scarfies (1999)
ActionComedyThriller

Five kiwi flatmates find something growing in their basement much to their delight, but when the rightful owner comes knocking and finds that they have appropriated the goods things start to... Read allFive kiwi flatmates find something growing in their basement much to their delight, but when the rightful owner comes knocking and finds that they have appropriated the goods things start to go awry.Five kiwi flatmates find something growing in their basement much to their delight, but when the rightful owner comes knocking and finds that they have appropriated the goods things start to go awry.

  • Director
    • Robert Sarkies
  • Writers
    • Duncan Sarkies
    • Robert Sarkies
  • Stars
    • Willa O'Neill
    • Neill Rea
    • Ashleigh Seagar
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Sarkies
    • Writers
      • Duncan Sarkies
      • Robert Sarkies
    • Stars
      • Willa O'Neill
      • Neill Rea
      • Ashleigh Seagar
    • 20User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins total

    Photos6

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Willa O'Neill
    Willa O'Neill
    • Emma
    Neill Rea
    Neill Rea
    • Scott
    Ashleigh Seagar
    • Nicola
    Taika Waititi
    Taika Waititi
    • Alex
    • (as Taika Cohen)
    Charlie Bleakley
    Charlie Bleakley
    • Graham
    Jon Brazier
    Jon Brazier
    • Kevin
    Mark Neilson
    • Gordy
    Mark Dudfield
    • The Yams
    Pat Soper
    • The Yams
    Dave Dudfield
    • The Yams
    Andrew Munro
    Andrew Munro
    • The Yams
    David Kilgour
    • The Clean
    Robert Scott
    • The Clean
    Robert Yeats
    • The Clean
    Thomas Bell
    • The Clean
    Andrew Strang
    • Drug Dealer #1
    Baz McGinn
    • Drug Dealer #2
    Jeff Wilson
    • Rugby Legend
    • Director
      • Robert Sarkies
    • Writers
      • Duncan Sarkies
      • Robert Sarkies
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    6.31.1K
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    Featured reviews

    supereva

    Wickedly cool

    There is a certain paradox in watching New Zealand films as a New Zealander. It is a breath of fresh air to see one's own culture, surroundings and accent (!) on the big screen, and Scarfies was no exception. However what we see of ourselves is usually grim, dark, and dare I say it 'uneasy' (thanks Sam). Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoying this fantastic film. To see it in the town where it is set, in a crowd of people who the characters were modeled on was a singularly unique experience. Watching the premiere was more like being at an Otago match than inside a film theatre! The performances were all outstanding, and the plot delivered some pearlers. The scene where Charlie Bleakley scrambles around on the roof was nail-biting. The overall tone of the film captured the spirit of Dunedin... bleak, grey, yet full of spirited uni students having a ball despite the weather and financial adversity. The state of the flat was slightly exaggerated - but not by much! I found the sh*t scene a little bit Trainspotting-esque, but then I had my eyes closed for most of that part anyway. Overall, it's great to see some quality Kiwi action on the big screen.
    8Magnus-39

    Done on a relatively small budget and full of imagery and lanuage of Dunedin students living in virtual poverty; it is a witty and black comedy.

    Scarfies was a great movie from a very small film making country. Done on a relatively small budget and full of imagery and lanuage of Dunedin students living in virtual poverty; it is a witty and black comedy.

    The plot centres around five students who take over an abandoned house and make it their own. They discover in the basement a huge drug planation left by the previous owner, which they decide to sell for moderate profit. Their life style improves, and relationships develop.

    All goes well until the return of the drug crop's owner.

    A fantastic soundtrack of New Zealand music, well worth checking out.
    berchtild

    Must See!

    Started watching this film a little apprehensive - seemed to be much like other films made in New Zealand. Made you question what you would do in this position, a little slow to start but a very enjoyable film. Must see films for anyone who enjoys New Zealand films such as Goodbye Pork Pie and Smash Palace.
    Dom-37

    The Kiwi's Are Coming!

    This film is another fine example of what New Zealand filmmakers can do when they hold the audiences' enjoyment above their own artistic w**k-ness.

    The Sarkies Brothers have created an extremely (un)pleasant film that isn't really about University life at all, but about those staple cinematic conventions -paranoia, murder and er, flatting.

    I strongly urge any one not from New Zealand to check out this little gem. God knows when it'll get released anywhere else though. I hope it gets onto screens in the U.S.

    One quibble however, three times in the film, characters describe each other as 'jerks'. Honestly, who in New Zealand uses that word with a straight face? It's such a sitcom-ism. 'Dick' would have been much more suitable in my eyes.
    aishia_the_slayer

    Man i wish i could find drug's in my basement

    I love this movie. It's funny and real and i'm sure most kiwi's can relate to it. The whole moving away from home to go to Uni in Otago or somewhere else. It's cleaver and I love the part when they superglue the guy's mouth and hands together and lock him in the basement is just... classic. I'm really thinking about buying it on DVD. It was on TV2 here in New Zealand on a saturday and it pulled in more viewers than most of the sunday night blockbuster movies that come from the US this year. Except I can't turn on my fellow moo-loo's OTAGO SUCKS!!! *Rings cow bell* sorry you would get it if you are a kiwi.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The house is at 49 Brown St. in Dunedin.
    • Goofs
      The National Provincial Championship final is portrayed as to only be a few weeks after the start of the school year. The University of Otago school year actually begins in late February, while the NPC finals are held in late October - 8 months later.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Scott: You come about the flat?

      Emma: [yes]

      Scott: I warn ya, this place is free for a reason. It's a shit hole. Still want to have a look?

      Emma: Yes.

      Scott: Okay. Guided tour... Hallway, dark, damp, rat-infested.

      Emma: Nice.

      [heads up the stairs]

    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'Scarfies' (2001)

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    FAQ

    • How long is Scarfies?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 5, 1999 (New Zealand)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Crime 101
    • Filming locations
      • 49 Brown Street, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand(setting: house)
    • Production companies
      • Nightmare Productions
      • New Zealand Film Commission
      • Portman Entertainment Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • NZ$1,600,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $122
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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