Cliff Curtis

Costumes, boy`s costumes, tv & movies

                                              

CLIFF'S LIFE STORY

 Name: Cliff Curtis

 Iwi (Tribe/Tribal Affiliations) : Ngati Hauiti, Te Arawa

Whanau (Family): Eight brothers and sisters

Interesting Facts: He learned Mau Rakau on Mokoia Island taught by Mita Mohi. He was brought up in Matata, a small Bay of Plenty town twenty minutes out of Whakatane

                                                                                       

International film star Cliff Curtis was born in a small Bay of Plenty town  in New Zealand called Rotorua on 27th of July  1968 and attended Western Heights High School. He worked for four years as a builder and glazier before breaking into the world of television and film. Cliff Curtis was trained at the New England Drama School during 1988-89 before appearing in "The Piano" in 1993, followed by "Desperate Remedies", a performance that won him a 1994 Best Supporting Actor in Film award. 

Cliff Curtis has also appeared in a wide range of stage and television productions including "The Chosen" in 1999 for which he received a winner's award for Best Actor at the TV Guide NZ Television Awards.    Costumes, girls` costumes, tv & movie                                                                                                                                                  

Curtis began performing as a youngster, influenced by his father, an amateur dancer.  He sang and danced in a variety of venues and dabbled in choreography.  He was twice voted his
country's amateur rock 'n roll champion.

The actor's interest in serious theatre - particularly the relationship between Maori and Greek myths - took him to Switzerland's Teatro Dimitri Scuola for study.  His earlystage appearances include such classics as MacBeth, The Cherry Orchard and Porgy and Bess.

Cliff's ethnicity, it has been speculated and documented as Latino, Mexican or Arab but in actuality, he is Maori, which is the indeginous people of New Zealand. A country which has produced films such as, Once were Warriors (in which he stars as 'Uncle Bully'), Lord of the Rings trilogy's, The Whale Rider (also in which he stars as Porourangi), Heavenly Creatures, Memory and Desire and The Piano (Curtis stars as Mana) it has produced Directors such as Peter Jackson, Lee Tamahori, Jane Campion and Nikki Caro, and actors such as Temuera Morrison, Martin Henderson, Kevin Smith, Lucy Lawless, Russell Crowe and Sam Neill.

Not bad for such a small country.

                                                 

Each film is followed with a photo (where available) and brief synopsis. Click on the Title to read a review. 

Costumes, men`s costumes, tv & movie

Costumes, women`s costumes, tv & movie

1993  

           The Piano - 'Mana', directed by jane Campion.

This is an extraordinary exploration of passion and betrayal as it explodes in the remote bush, removed from the eyes of conventional society, but judged with brutal intensity by the players themselves. The cast is beyond praise in conveying Campion's vision of a woman who speaks through her music to the two men who want her. Without words to distract us, we inhabit Ada's soul.

                           

    1995

        Once were warriors 'Uncle Bully' directed by Lee Tamahori

Beth Heke (Rena Owen) is a feisty, beautiful mother of five who, after eighteen years of marriage, is still deeply in love with her volatile husband Jake (Temuera Morrison ). Jake spends most of his time at the local pub, guzzling beer and proving his masculinity with his fists. If Beth dares to question or challenge him, her answer often comes in a similarly violent form. What happens to their daughter Grace changes the family's life forever and forces Beth to draw on her own Maori roots and personal strength to courageously turn adversity into triumph and create new hope for her own and her family's survival.

                  

* Desperate Remedies as 'Fraser', directed by Peter Wells'

Set in a fictional 19th-century town called Hope, this lush romance follows the saga of a broken-hearted woman struggling to protect her sister and her fortune from the ravages of ill-conceived love. Dorothea Brooke (Jennifer Ward-Lealand) tries to keep her sister from marrying the greedy and manipulative Fraser (Cliff Curtis) while she turns down advances from the local politician so that she can be with her lover, Anne Cooper. The stories and characters go around and around, with characters avoiding their truths and intentions to keep up their lies and facades.

                 

*Rapa Nui as 'Short Ears', directed by Kevin Reynolds

Fictional account of how the giant statues known as Moai were erected on Easter Island. The Moai are tributes to the mythical beings who founded the island, and the ruling people, known as the Long Ears, demand that the enslaved Short Ears tribe continue to construct these magnificent monuments. But one slave is determined to find a way out: each year a spectacularly grueling marathon is held to decide who will become the island's ruler. Although Tupa, a member of the ruling class, wants to win the race -- and the beautiful Ramana as his bride -- Make of the Short Ears intends to defeat him. If he wins, his people will be free from their slavery...

                 

*Hercules in the Underworld  as 'Nessus' directed by Bill.L.Norton

Hercules must stop the dog of the Underworld, Cerebrus, whose escape has caused the souls of the deceased to escape from the Underworld

                 

Kahu and Maia as 'Kahu', directed by David Blyth

A haunting relationship between two lovers from the past threatens the lives and future of a contemporary family.

                  

1996

 *  Chicken  as 'Zeke', directed by Grant Lahood

On the premise that his albums will sell better if he is dead, an aging pop-singer fakes his own death. True enough, the money rolls in, but no one can get their hands on it because of the seven year waiting period before a missing person can be declared legally dead. However, a crazed animal rights terrorist, who knows he isn't dead, is trying to kill him, because of the singer's advertisements for fried chicken resteraunts. Eventually, it turns out that the singer's manager is paying the terrorist to kill him.

                 

1998

 * 6 Days, 7 Nights as 'Kip' directed by Ivan Reitman 

Anne Heche plays Robin Monroe, a New York City magazine editor who's on vacation in the South Pacific with her fiance, Frank, played by David Schwimmer. Everything is hunky dory and lovey dovey until suddenly, a work-related problem forces her to take a short plane trip to the island of Tahiti on business.

                

* Deep Rising  as Mamooli directed by Billy Cook

When a band of ruthless hijackers invade the world's most luxurious cruise ship, they're shocked to discover the passengers have mysteriously vanished! But that doesn't mean they are alone! Something terrifying is lurking just out of sight: a deadly force from the unexplored depths of the ocean that begins to snatch the horrified intruders one by one!

                

 

 The Chosen(TV) as Father Tahere (no picture available)

The Chosen is a romantic thriller of two men caught in a deadly struggle for the love and soul of a young woman: One man is a charismatic cult leader, the other a troubled preist. In this fatal love triangle, good confronts evil, and the opposing forces divide a small rural town

 

1999 

* Virus as 'Hiko' directed by John Bruno

 Seeking refuge from a typhoon, the crew of an American tugboat boards a top secret Russian research vessel and finds it infected by an alien life form which regards humans as a virus which must be destroyed at any cost. 

                    

*Insider as 'Sheikh Fadlallah', directed by Michael Mann

The true story of tobacco industry whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand, the former head of development at the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. who went public on CBS-TV's "60 Minutes" as an industry informant. "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman championed Wigand's cause and after many obstacles managed to have the segment aired. The relationship between the two men developed around their struggle to reveal the truth despite personal and professional hardships. 

                    

*Bringing out the dead as 'Cy Coats', directed by Martin Scorcesse 

Sirens screaming and lights flashing, a New York City ambulance speeds through the night. Its drivers are paramedics working the graveyard shift--men who come face-to-face with the dead and the dying on a daily basis. Burnt out from one too many nights on the job, they are nearly as broken as the bodies they haul through the streets. What keeps them going is their caustic sense of comedy, and an acrid view of a world which seems to have its surreal epicenter in Manhattan                  

                     

2000 

 Jubilee as 'Billy Williams', directed by Michael Hurst. 

Jubilee’ is a funny, warm-hearted comedy set in heartland New Zealand. It is the story of Billy Williams, his family and the small town of Waimatua - the sweet potato capital of the world. Our hero Billy Williams mJubilee’ is a funny, warm-hearted comedy set in heartland New Zealand. It is the story of Billy Williams, his family and the small town of Waimatua - theJubilee’ is a funny, warm-hearted comedy set in heartland New Zealand. It is the story of Billy Williams, his family and the small town of Waimatua - the sweet potato capital of the world. Our hero Billy Williams may be hopeless, but he’s no loser. He’s a likable guy who’s always volunteering to help out where he can, and he’s a great Dad to Lucille and Walter. But unfortunately he never finishes a job and is the world’s worst procrastinator - much to his wife Pauline’s dismay.

                          

2001

 * Blow - 'Pablo Escobar, Directed by Ted Demme

He was just a small town boy who became the most powerful drug lord in the United States. His name was George Jung, the man first responsible for bringing cocaine to the American people. From poverty and suburban obscurity, to untold wealth, power and infamy, this is the amazing true story of the man who partnered Colombian cartel baron, Pablo Escobar and rode the powerful, dangerous and turbulent wave of drug trafficking - ultimately paying for it.

                         
 

*Training Day as Smiley directed by Antoine Fuqua

In a city where streets are overrun by drug dealers, those who have sworn to uphold the law are breaking them to clean up the streets. Denzel Washington plays L.A.P.D detective Alonzo Harris, a veteran narcotics officer whose methods of enforcing the law are questionable, if not corrupt. 'Training Day' follows Harris as he trains rookie Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawk) over a period 24 hours. Ethical dilemmas arise for Hoyt as well as the audience as questions present themselves as to whether or not Harris' methodology for ridding the streets of South Central Los Angeles of drugs is right or wrong.

                       

The Three Kings as 'Amir Abdullah' directed by David O. Russels  with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube

The story of a small group of adventurous American soldiers in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War who are determined to steal a huge cache of gold reputed to be hidden somewhere near their desert base. Finding a map they believe will take them to the gold, they embark on a journey that leads to unexpected discoveries, enabling them to rise to a heroic challenge that drastically changes their lives.

                       

*The Majestic as 'Prince Kahlid' directed by Josh Grossenberg.

In this Capra-esque drama set during the 1950's blacklist, a young, ambitious Hollywood screenwriter loses his job and his identity, only to find new courage, love and the power of conviction in the heart of a small town's life.

 

                          

2002 

 * Point of Origin(TV) as 'Mike Camello', directed by Newton Thomas Siegel

Based on a true story, this twisting psychological thriller focuses on a serial arsonist whose terrifying six-year crime spree is juxtaposed with the increasingly desperate efforts of investigators to bring him to justice. Charged with investigating many of these fires is Captain John Orr (Ray Liotta), a legendary figure in the Glendale Fire Department, possessed with an uncanny ability to pinpoint the origins of a fire, as well as the devices by which an arsonist may have carried out the crime. Through a fingerprint left at the scene of one crime and a series of surprise revelations focusing on arsons set in several towns, the task force is able to close in on an unlikely suspect. . . and ultimately crack the case

                        

*   Collateral Damage as 'Claudio Perrini' directed by Andrew Davis 

Firefighter Gordon Brewer is plunged into the complex and dangerous world of international terrorism after he loses his wife and child in a bombing credited to Claudio "The Wolf" Perrini. Frustrated with the official investigation and haunted by the thought that the man responsible for murdering his family might never be brought to justice, Brewer takes matters into his own hands and tracks his quarry ultimately to Colombia.

                         

2003

  The Whale Rider - 'Porourangi', Directed by Nikki Caro

In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. In every generation, a male heir has succeeded to the chiefly title. When twins are born, and the boy twin dies, Koro, the chief, is unable to accept his granddaughter, Pai, as a future leader.

                        .

          Runaway Jury  'Frank Herrera' directed by Gary Fleder (no photo available)

Wendell Rohr is a torts lawyer taking on the gun lobby. Rankin Fitch is the jury consultant for the Defendants and between them the battle is for the hearts and minds of the jury. But there is someone on the inside. Nicholas Easter is a juror with a girlfriend, Marlee, on the outside. they have a past ..... and their own agenda.

 

2004

           Traffic    as Adam Kadyrov directed by Eric Bross and Stephen Hopkins

A three-part miniseries which offers a look into the world of trafficking, where drugs, weapons, and even people are traded all over the world

    Fracture  as Inspector Franklin directed by Larry Parr

    Young single mother Leeanne (Kate Elliott) showers her one-year-old with love and affection, though she gets no help from her family. Rebuffed by her mother, she tries to stay close to her cool and handsome brother Brent (Jared Turner). But she doesn't know about his secret life as a professional thief preying on the unsuspecting rich. When he bungles a burglary, his world shatters. The crime creates a crisis for all the members of the two families. As relationships begin to fracture and fall apart, Leeanne must discover if she too has the courage and strength to survive

Spooked as Mort Whitman Directed by Geoff Murphy

A thriller loosely based on Ian Wishart's book The Paradise Conspiracy, about the mysterious death of a New Zealander who happened upon international banking records after purchasing a used computer

Heinous Crime as Pizza Delivery Man directed by Taika Cohen(Waititi)

Winner of the Wellington 48 Hour Film Festival

 

                                                    

 

 

 

2005

The Fountain directed by Aronofsky

Spanning over one thousand years, and three parallel stories, The Fountain is a story of love, death, spirituality, and the fragility of our existence in this world

River Queen Directed by Vincent Ward

'River Queen' is an intimate story set amongst epic 19th century surroundings, following the journey of a young woman's conflict when caught between two cultures

                                                  

Cliff has worked with a number of high profile movie stars, some more high profile than others, some terrible actors, some outstanding actors in some good movies, and some not so great movies.

This is a new feature of some of the people Cliff Curtis has worked with.

The Piano Harvey Keitel, Sam neil, Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin

Desperate Remedies Lisa Chappell, Kevin Smith (he also worked with Smith in Jubilee) and Jennifer Ward-Lealand

Rapa Nui Jason Scott Lee, Esai Morales

Once Were Warriors Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen

Six Days and Seven Nights Anne Heche, harrison Ford, David Schwimmer

The Insider Al Pacino, Russell Crowe

Virus Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin, Donald Sutherland

Three Kings George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Jamie Kennedy, Spike Jonze

Bringing out the dead Nicholas Cage, patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames

Training Day Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Tom Berenger, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray

Blow Jonny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ray Liotta

The Majestic Jim Carrey, Martin Landau

Collateral Damage Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elias Koteas, Francesca Neri, John Tuturro, John Leguizamo

Whale Rider Keisha Castle Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton

Runaway Jury John Cussack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Jennifer Beals.

Disclaimer

Website of Cliff Curtis is a website created by HIS FANS. This website, its operators, and any content contained on this site relating to "Cliff Curtis" are not authorized by Cliff Curtis. This website has no affiliation with Cliff Curtis. This website exists to celebrate and increase appreciation for Cliff Curtis and to encourage people to watch his movies. This site is merely a fansite and does not intend to infringe upon the copyrights of the above mentioned individuals or companies.