NZ's newest movie stars 'OUR UNSPOKEN AROHA'

Northland film stars James and Isey talk about their special relationship

- Mary de Ruyter

Isey and James Cross, the Northland mother and son starring in acclaimed Kiwi filmmaker Florian Habicht’s latest movie, shared a quiet moment on the way to the documentary’s world premiere last month.

Neither spoke as they were driven in a limousine down Auckland’s Queen Street towards the Civic Theatre, where crowds were waiting for them. They didn’t need words to express the love they shared and the happiness they felt as it sunk in that they were finally about to help launch the film – and celebrate Isey’s 102nd birthday.

For James, who has cared for his mum for the past 20 years on the family farm in Kawakawa, starring in a movie is the latest experience he’s concocted to pay tribute to Isey and keep life interesting for her. “It’s something to look forward to – it gives her something to live for and to be happy about,” he explains.

Aptly opening on May 6, Mother’s Day, James & Isey follows the pair in the week leading up to her 100th birthday party in April 2019. The fly-on-the-wall doco beautifully captures their domestic life, Isey’s no-nonsense humor, her love of marlin fishing, Northland’s stunning landscapes, and the preparations for the big event.

It also reveals the enduring love between mother and son, who are of Ngeti Manu descent.

Although James cares for Isey full-time, he sees the relationship differently from how most people would.