Alex Liu’s feature debut brings a Pacific New Wave perspective to a thriller about power, race and belonging
Tongan Kiwi filmmaker Alex Liu is set to make his feature directorial debut at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with God Bless You, Mr Kopu, which has been selected for its World Premiere. The thriller stars Simon Rex, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi and Grace Palmer, bringing together an international cast and creative team for a story rooted in contemporary Pasifika identity.
The film follows Mafu, played by Schuster-Koloamatangi, a struggling Tongan immigrant whose circumstances change when he becomes the protégé of Marco Cass, a charming and successful American salesman portrayed by Rex. What initially appears to be the dream opportunity Mafu has been waiting for gradually takes a darker turn as he begins questioning the methods and motivations of his mysterious mentor.
As Mafu becomes increasingly uncomfortable with Marco’s world, the promise of professional success gives way to a dangerous psychological conflict. Through the thriller framework, Liu explores questions surrounding power, race, belonging and modern Pasifika identity.
A Pacific New Wave
For Liu, God Bless You, Mr Kopu represents part of a growing movement of Polynesian filmmakers in Aotearoa New Zealand who are finding new ways to tell stories about their communities.
The Auckland-based filmmaker describes his approach as “Pacific New Wave,” reflecting a desire to move beyond expected ideas of what Pasifika cinema should look like while creating deeply personal stories that can exist within familiar genre frameworks.
The director sees the film as part of an emerging form of Pacific filmmaking that combines contemporary Polynesian identity with the genre influences that shaped his own relationship with cinema.
Its TIFF World Premiere represents a significant moment for Liu, who hopes the film’s journey can encourage other Polynesian filmmakers to pursue ambitious stories that might otherwise struggle to find their way to the screen.
Alex Liu’s Journey to Feature Filmmaking
Based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Liu has already established himself through his short-form work. His films SMOG and The Red Room both won Best Film, Māori and Pasifika at the New Zealand International Film Festival.
With God Bless You, Mr Kopu, Liu expands that filmmaking practice into his first feature, bringing his interest in contemporary Pasifika stories into the thriller genre.
The project combines a distinctly Pacific perspective with a crime-thriller structure, allowing Liu to examine social and cultural questions through a story driven by suspense and increasingly complicated relationships.
Simon Rex Leads an International Cast
The film stars Simon Rex as Marco Cass, the charismatic salesman whose mentorship of Mafu becomes increasingly unsettling. Rex is known for acclaimed performances including Red Rocket and Easy’s Waltz.
Opposite him is Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays Mafu. Schuster-Koloamatangi’s credits include Predator: Badlands and Red, White & Brass. Grace Palmer, known for Animal Control and Adrift, rounds out the principal cast.
The combination of the three performers gives the film a strong international presence while keeping its central story focused on the relationship between Mafu and Marco.
International Sales and Distribution
Radiant Films International has boarded the project for international sales, while AC Independent, a division of AC Studios, is representing North American rights. Distribution discussions are underway ahead of TIFF.
Umbrella Entertainment will distribute the film in Australia and New Zealand.
The film is an official New Zealand/Australia co-production, produced by Roxi Bull for Velvet Moss and Tania Chambers for Feisty Dame Productions.
Executive producers include Velvet Moss’ Emma Slade, Timpson Films’ Ant Timpson, Simon Rex through his Crispy Productions, LLC banner, as well as Toby Nalbandian, Gregory Schmidt, Mimi Steinbauer, A.C. Neel, Ari Harrison, Jasmin McSweeney, Grady Habib, Beatriz Martins and Noah Cliff.
A Trans-Tasman Creative Collaboration
Behind the camera, Australian cinematographer Mick McDermott worked alongside a New Zealand creative team to establish the film’s sharp, high-contrast visual style.
The production team includes Production Designer Z. Rewiri Newton, Costume Designer Sacha Teuila Young and Hair and Makeup Designer Stef Knight. Their work reflects the film’s trans-Tasman production identity, bringing together Australian and New Zealand filmmaking talent.
The project was produced in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, Screenwest and Lotterywest and Truant Pictures. Financing and production support came from Hinterland, Sandbox, the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate and the Western Australian Post-Production, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive.
A New Chapter for Pacific Genre Cinema
With its combination of crime thriller elements, contemporary Pasifika identity and an emerging filmmaker’s distinctive perspective, God Bless You, Mr Kopu arrives at TIFF as a feature designed to challenge expectations.
For Liu, the World Premiere is more than a festival milestone. It represents an opportunity to place a contemporary Polynesian story within an international cinematic conversation while demonstrating that Pacific filmmaking can embrace genre, ambition and unconventional storytelling.
God Bless You, Mr Kopu will make its World Premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, marking Alex Liu’s feature filmmaking debut.
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