Don’t Whistle At The Aurora is storm chaser adrenaline meets intimate art doco, with quirky characters, hints of comedy and a shared passion for finding hidden beauty in a world full of dark.
20min // Documentary
synopsis
When the Aurora Australis appears above the southern lakes, a dedicated community of Aurora fanatics drop everything in pursuit of a glimpse of one of nature's most spectacular displays.
Set against the remote landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand, Don't Whistle At The Aurora follows a handful of eager Aurora chasers, hoping for a chance to see the magic of the Southern Lights.
A local family piles into the car after receiving an alert, turning a late night mission into an adventure for the whole whānau. A solo photographer hikes deep into the hills, seeking solitude and the perfect shot beneath the stars. Meanwhile, a couple of first time Aurora hopefuls gather on the Wānaka lakefront, guided by experienced locals, as they attempt to witness the elusive lights for themselves, and learn a few unwritten rules along the way.
As these stories unfold, the film explores not only the science behind the Aurora, and the techniques used to predict and photograph it, but also the myths, legends and personal meanings woven around the dancing lights. Cultures both north and south of the equator have shared tales as old as time around the celestial phenomenon but what do we really know?
Through Māori traditions, international folklore and the stories of those who spend sleepless nights searching the horizon, we learn how the Aurora isn’t just a natural phenomenon, but a source of wonder, connection and hope.
Blending astrophotography with the energy and unpredictability of a real time chase, Don't Whistle At The Aurora is a visually stunning and deeply human and character-centric story about our enduring fascination with the night sky, and the lengths we will go to experience a moment of magic. As the heart warming journeys of our quirky Aurora chasers unfold, so too do the deeper stories of ritual, isolation, purpose, and connection to something beyond ourselves.
For those who know what it means to chase something that cannot be caught; a phenomenon that arrives
without warning, without rules, and with no guarantees, yet speaks to something deep and universal, our need to
find light in the dark.
There’s something irrational about chasing the Aurora.
You lose sleep, drive for hours, freeze in the middle of the night, all for a chance that the sky might do something beautiful. I’ve done this more times than I can count. And every time, no matter how fleeting the glow, it still feels worth it.
Director // Joe Murdie
Audience
Don't Whistle At The Aurora is a documentary for anyone fascinated by the natural world and the stories that bring people together.
This is not a film about why the Aurora happens or how to photograph it. It is a film about our search for wonder, and the remarkable community of people drawn together by the pursuit of something extraordinary.
Blending science, adventure, humour, and human connection, the film aims to engage both dedicated Aurora chasers and audiences discovering the phenomenon for the first time.
The film will initially target selected national and international film festivals, such as the Banff Mountain Film Festival, New Zealand Mountain Film Festival, and DocEdge, as well as being played at local screenings and workshops throughout the South Island, it will also serve as a proof-of-concept for a future documentary series.
Once it has completed it’s film festival and screening run, the plan is to share it with Aurora-related social media communities that have tens of thousands of followers.
Advisory Panel
To ensure the documentary is accurate, engaging, and a representation of the many perspectives connected to Aurora Australis, this project will be guided by an independent advisory panel comprising of experts in space weather science, astronomy, dark sky conservation, Māori astronomy, tourism, and the Aurora chasing community.
The panel will provide advice throughout development and production, helping shape the story, review scientific content, identify key contributors, and ensure the film reflects both the wonder of the phenomenon and its significance to New Zealand audiences.
Advisory panel appointments currently being sought from leading figures in space weather science, Māori astronomy, dark sky conservation, tourism and the Aurora chasing community.
The PRODUCERS
Don't Whistle At The Aurora is bought to you by Erin + Joe Murdie of Bunker Street Film Co. As dedicated Aurora chasers ourselves, we have spent countless nights watching forecasts, chasing clear skies, and standing in the dark waiting for a glimpse of the Southern Lights. Over the years, we've become fascinated not only by the Aurora itself, but by the community that forms around it - the photographers, families, adventurers, dreamers and the everyday folks who are drawn to the night sky in search of something extraordinary.
This film brings together two things we care deeply about: telling authentic human stories and celebrating the unique landscapes and natural wonders of Aotearoa. Building on our experience creating award winning scripted and documentary projects, Don't Whistle At The Aurora represents an exciting step forward in developing our long form documentary voice and sharing stories that connect local experiences to universal themes.
Through the pursuit of the Aurora, we hope to showcase not only the beauty of the Southern Lakes region, but also the remarkable people who find meaning, community and inspiration beneath its night skies.
Erin Murdie
Erin is a producer whose career combines extensive experience in corporate operations, legal, HR and finance with a passion for storytelling. Over the past seven years, she has contributed to global drama and reality productions while also producing independent short films and award-winning documentaries. With a strong focus on project development, partnerships and bringing ambitious ideas to life, Erin is driven by stories that connect people, place and purpose.
Joe Murdie
Joe is a Director and Director of Photography with more than a decade of experience working across documentary, scripted and commercial productions throughout New Zealand, Asia and the United States. Known for his ability to capture authentic human stories in visually striking ways, Joe brings a deep passion for adventure, exploration and the natural world to his filmmaking. As a dedicated Aurora chaser himself, he is uniquely positioned to tell this story from both behind and in front of the lens.
Wanna help us
whistle at the skies
and see what happens?
This project is currently in pre-production and looking for additional supporters / brand sponsors, if you or your business would like to be a part of helping bring this story to life, please get in touch.
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