Best of 2020: Arts

15:17 pm on 27 November 2020


This year, more than ever, we counted on artists to take us places we'd never been. These are our top ten arts features of the year.

Niki Caro on her female-driven Mulan 

The Disney+ blockbuster Mulan - one of the most anticipated movies of 2020 - was shot on location in New Zealand, with a cast that included 17 Kiwis and a crew that was 90 percent local.

Niki Caro (right) on the set of Mulan Photo: Supplied

The joy of filming My Octopus Teacher

A filmmaker behind the hit Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher says the New Zealand movie Whale Rider helped shape its content.

Crew filming The Octopus Teacher Photo: Faine Loubser

Comedian Hannah Gadsby on her new Netflix special

In her new show Douglas, the Australian stand-up comedian Hannah Gadsby takes aim at the patriarchy, anti-vaxxers and all those who would define others.

Hannah Gadsby Photo: supplied

Alien Addiction: the hit New Zealand movie you've probably not heard of

This award-winning, gross-out, sci-fi comedy Alien Addiction is the work of music video director Shae Sterling.

A scene from Alien Addiction Photo: Supplied

Toke: a TV comedy for our time

As New Zealand made a decision about legalising cannabis this year, what better time for a comedy-drama about the demon weed? The big surprise about Toke is where it's come from.  

Photo: screentime

Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh on art, music and recovering from Covid-19

The composer and former frontman of new wave band Devo talks to Kim Hill.

Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo Photo: LivePict.com CC BY-SA 3.0

Jonathan Lemalu on boosting Pacific artists

International opera singer Jonathan Lemalu is coming up with new and innovative ways to keep sharing his work.

 Jonathan Lemalu Photo: Jonathan Lemalu

Neil Finn on Crowded House's upcoming album and NZ tour

The "unexpected" and "glorious" experience of playing with iconic band Fleetwood Mac inspired the resurrection of Crowded House, says frontman Neil Finn.

The 2020 Crowded House line-up Photo: supplied

Writer Christine Leunens on Jojo Rabbit

Christine Leunens never thought the dark themes of her novel Caging Skies, now adapted as the award-winning feature film Jojo Rabbit, would become relevant again in her lifetime.

Taika Waititi, Christine Leunens & Carthew Neal. Photo: supplied

Kate Tempest: 'I witness the world by paying attention'

Acclaimed English writer and rapper Kate Tempest says her work is always about getting closer to meaning.

Kate Tempest Photo: ©__NZF20