Rob Sarkies is a New Zealand filmmaker who specialises in telling iconic stories for New Zealand and the world.  From Out of the Blue about the Aramoana tragedy to Consent about Louise Nicolas’s fight for justice and the soon to be released Pike River about the Pike families epic battle, Rob has carved a niche in telling important NZ stories sensitively, with a visceral edge.  

Rob has also specialised in comedy with cult classic Scarfies (starring a young Taika Waititi) and Two Little Boys (starring Bret McKenzie and Hamish Blake), both successful collaborations with writer brother Duncan Sarkies.  Robert and Duncan continue to develop projects together for both film and television.

Rob’s ‘for hire’ directing work spans one off television drama (including the acclaimed Jean about NZ classic aviator Jean Batten), series television (including The Gulf, Wanted, One Lane Bridge) and commercials (via Waitamata Films for major clients spanning Mainland, BP, Sealord, ACC and many more) .  Rob’s work has screened in A-list film festivals (including Sundance, TIFF, the Berlinale) and won multiple awards.  

Rob develops his own projects from his Wellington New Zealand base but is always on the lookout for collaborations with established producers on New Zealand and international projects – see the contact form to get in touch! 

Featured Work

P I K E R I V E R P I K E R I V E R
J E A N J E A N
C O N S E N T C O N S E N T
T H E G U L F T H E G U L F
OUT OF THE BLUE OUT OF THE BLUE
OUT OF THE BLUE OUT OF THE BLUE
W A N T E D W A N T E D
ONE LANE BRIDGE – GHOSTS ONE LANE BRIDGE – GHOSTS
TWO LITTLE BOYS TWO LITTLE BOYS

  • “The director confronts horror without wallowing in it, a strategy befitting a film that’s not about how people die, but how they live” – New York Times, Out of the Blue

    “Director Robert Sarkies’ devastating drama stands beside In Cold Blood, Badlands and The Executioner’s Song as a transcendent true-crime classic” – USA TV Guide, Out of the Blue

    “It’s a beautiful piece of cinema and a powerful, refreshing reminder of the strength of the human spirit” – UK Empire, Out of the Blue

    “A masterclass in how to approach a story of the most brutal realities with sensitivity” – Dominion Post, Consent

    “Director Robert Sarkies impressed us again with Consent, his pitch perfect retelling of the Louise Nicholas story that should win all sorts of awards”.   NZ Herald, Consent

    “It was a film that had to be made. It was a film that had to be watched. I suspect I’ll never be quite the same again having done so” – Stuff, Consent

    “A blackly comic bromance, an Antipodean Apatow with wit, heart and mullets”. **** Australian Empire, Two Little Boys

    “A supremely confident genuinely entertaining crowd pleaser with a really nasty surprise”.  Sunday Star Times, Scarfies

    “It feels like a new generation, the convergence of fresh talent, a bold young thing, and that has to be exciting”.  NZ Listner, Scarfies

     

    Reviews