Hook, Line & Sinker reaches blind audiences on DVD

Thanks to support from the RNZFB and Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ), Torchlight Films have produced and released an audio described and captioned edition of their new DVD Hook, Line and Sinker - just in time for Christmas.

The film

Hook, Line and Sinker tells the story of P.J. and Ronnie, a modest suburban couple raising her teenage kids on his wages as a truckie and the proceeds of her small wedding-dress business. But their life is thrown into turmoil when he fails a mandatory eye test and loses his HT licence. The stress this causes is more than financial - and it's an understatement to say the stubbornly self-reliant P.J. has trouble adjusting. Hook, Line and Sinker is the touchily poignant story of a man and his family as he struggles to come to terms with loosing his sight as a result of developing macular degeneration.

This film was highly acclaimed when it appeared in cinemas around the country earlier this year.

How to order a copy

The RNZFB has worked closely with Torchlight films to make this a New Zealand first: a locally-produced DVD with audio description which can be enjoyed by everyone. Order the DVD for just $20 plus $5 P&P from www.mdnz.co.nz, email info@mdnz.co.nz or phone 09 307 2103 (be sure to specify the Special Edition if you want audio description).

Buying this DVD will also be assisting the RNZFB and others to prove that there really is a demand for audio described movies in New Zealand: where Torchlight Films have gone others will follow if this is a successful venture. If we make it worth their while, one day this will be a standard component of every DVD movie.

Here is what others have already said about this film:

Hook, Line and Sinker – a film by Andrea Bosshard and Shane Loader.

"... laughter, tears, a celebration of life, family, community , yes and old songs well sung. Bravo!"
Dr. Andrew Horton, Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay

"... likeable, admirable and hugely enjoyable."
Graeme Tuckett, Dominion Post

"Well acted, economically written and smartly produced; well worth seeing."Simon Morris, Radio NZ National

"It's the kind of filmmaking we could do with much more of."
Peter Calder, Weekend Herald