"Datsun"

9 June 2025

15 mins 06s

The last ride.

To describe a car as a character may be trite, but it applies to Sweetshop director Mark Albiston's gritty short film, 'Datsun'. Unable to resist the lure of his late father's yellow Datsun coupe, Matt (Mickey Reddish) hits the road with his best friend Howie (Billy R McCarthy) and younger brother Artie (Tate Harrow). For teenage spark plug Matt, it's now or never.

Fans of 'Stand By Me' and 'Cop Car' should dig Albiston's raw take on joyriding. They'll also be glad to hear that 'Datsun' is a proof of concept for 'The Blood Moon', Albiston's next feature film that's part way through development. A work of true Kiwi grit like this bodes well for the future, but also celebrates to the past—Datsun aficionados may shed a tear a gruff tear as the car's put through its paces before the keys are handed over for the last time.

New Zealand

Short Film