Ed Oxenbould stars in New Zealand film "Head South."

Australian actor Ed Oxenbould stars in the new New Zealand film, Head South. The film tells the story of a teenager from Christchurch in 1979, who dreams of making music. The character, Angus, experiences a mix of youthful challenges and the city's vibrant post-punk scene. While filming in Christchurch, Oxenbould realized how much the local people are still affected by past tragedies, such as the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the mosque shootings in 2019. He noted that these events are often topics of conversation among the locals. Oxenbould, now 23, plays the role of Angus, a 17-year-old who discovers punk music and desires to form a band with his friend Kirsten, played by singer-songwriter Benee. The film captures the essence of teenage life in an era before the internet, showcasing the struggles of fitting in and finding one's identity. The writer-director, Jonathan Ogilvie, drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in Christchurch, where he witnessed a rich underground music scene. Despite the challenges of filming in a city marked by earthquake damage, Ogilvie found enough locations to tell his story. Oxenbould faced the challenge of mastering the New Zealand accent for his role. He noted that it was difficult but important to get it right. Benee, known for her hit song Supalonely, was excited to explore Christchurch's musical history through her role, despite not knowing much about it before. Head South is set to open in theaters on April 3.