(Auckland, The NZ Today): The remarkable life of rugby legend Jonah Lomu will once again capture the nation’s attention after a new documentary chronicling his journey was selected as the Centrepiece Film of this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival.
The documentary, titled LOMU, will receive one of the festival’s most prominent screenings, placing the story of one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting icons before audiences across the country.
Festival organisers say the film explores far more than Lomu’s achievements on the rugby field. It follows his rise from a young Auckland boy to a global sporting phenomenon, while also examining the personal challenges, health struggles and pressures that accompanied international fame.
Lomu transformed rugby during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where his speed, power and athleticism helped make him one of the most recognisable figures in world sport. Decades later, he remains one of New Zealand’s most influential sporting personalities.
The documentary features rare footage, personal insights and interviews that provide a deeper understanding of the man behind the sporting legend. Filmmakers say the project aims to show audiences a side of Lomu that many fans never had the opportunity to see.
Festival organisers believe the film will resonate with both rugby supporters and general audiences because of its focus on perseverance, family and resilience.
The selection of LOMU as the festival’s centrepiece highlights the continuing interest in stories that celebrate New Zealand’s cultural and sporting history. It is also expected to be one of the most talked-about films of the festival programme.
Industry observers believe the documentary could attract strong international attention given Lomu’s global reputation and enduring legacy within the sport.
For many New Zealanders, the film offers an opportunity to revisit the extraordinary career of a player who helped redefine rugby and inspired a generation of athletes around the world.
