Royd Tolkien’s : There’s a Hole in My Bucket screening

When Royd Tolkien, the great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, brother Mike dies of Motor Neurone Disease, he leaves Royd one final act of love and mischief: a secret bucket list of 50 challenges for Royd to complete on his behalf, designed to drag his reluctant, comfort-zone-hugging brother back into the land of the living. What follows is an unexpected journey that pushes a grieving man further than he ever imagined possible. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, with Peter Jackson, Billy Boyd, John Rhys-Davies and others from middle earth joining him along the way, the film is a raucous, tender argument that the best eulogy isn’t a speech, it’s a bucket list.

Screening at Jack Mann Theatre, as part of Doc Edge, New Zealand’s Oscar-qualifying documentary festival. Producer Belindalee Hope will be there in person for a live Q&A after the film.

The Post named it one of five films to catch at Doc Edge. Screenings in Auckland and Wellington sold out, and Sir Ian McKellen dropped by the Wellington encore.

Two standout prizes are drawn on the night: an AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy, and a guided Fiordland fishing adventure with FishJet NZ on the Waiau River, hosted by a local guide who features in the film.