Geoff Murphy

A leading if somewhat uneven figure among the glories of New Zealand cinema who made his mark in the 1980s, director-writer-producer Murphy became a hired gun in the first capacity in Hollywood action fare of the 90s. A former teacher and published author, he earned an early credit working on special effects for the political adventure, "Sleeping Dogs" (1977). Murphy made his screenwriting, directing and producing debut with the car chase action comedy "Goodbye Pork Pie" (1980). Although the antics of the protagonists were more crude and rowdy than genuinely witty or provocative, the film had energy, was technically playful, and scored a huge hit both in New Zealand and abroad.