Under the Mountain in Auckland city

Feature film filmed around Auckland city: Auckland is a perfect filming destination with attractive locations, skilled crew and diverse casting options.

From City Scene, published on 8 November, 2009.

Under the Mountain is an upcoming feature film adaptation of the 1979 novel by Maurice Gee - the same source material that was used to make a generation-defining television series in the 1980s.

The film, starring Sam Neill (pictured) and Oliver Driver, and tells the story of a pair of twins who must use unusual mental powers to combat the insidious Wilberforces - mysterious residents of a nearby house who seem to have ill intentions.

Production of the movie - which was set and filmed around key Auckland city locations - was facilitated by Auckland City Council. The council facilitates approximately 400 film projects a year - serving as a "one-stop shop" for productions that need to film within the city, balancing their needs with those of the public.

"It's the great Auckland story, in a way," said the film's director Jonathan King, citing the film's climax on Rangitoto and scenes on Maungawhau-Mt Eden. "We're really using these iconic New Zealand landmarks to anchor the story."

Nearly half of the nation's film production employees work in Auckland city, and the industry is estimated to contribute more than $375 million to the city's gross domestic product each year.

For more information about the council's film facilitation projects or the contribution of the screen production industry to our city, visit Filming in Auckland City.

Next week, City Scene offers you the exclusive chance to win free tickets to the movie, which opens in theatres on 10 December.