Shihad: Beautiful Machine

Overview

Beautiful Machine is not a rock doco. It's the story of four boys who went within a breath of greatness and in the blink of an eye came tumbling back down to ground zero. It's an absolute must see in 2012.

Whether you're a Shihad fan, a rock fan, a music lover or just a person interested in New Zealand pop culture, Beautiful Machine is for you. As Producer Grant Roa says "we weren't interested in making an glorified video clip. The purpose of the film was to tell the story of a band who inspired so many, from a place of honesty". And they have certainly achieved that.

The film follows the boys from their early days in Wellington and looks at them through their parents eyes. In time as success grows it shows what becomes of a band gripped by the rock and roll lifestyle. And despite the shadow of tragedy that hangs over them, the trials with love, drugs, death, terrorism and life changing jokes it showcases how they came to be one of New Zealand's greatest.

It's often said that with things like bands, when the heir of mystique is removed that the spell of awe is broken - with Shihad, this could not be more wrong. This honest account shows the band so raw and unguarded that you walk away feeling like they've just shared their inner most secrets with you. And because of that I think we'll see kiwi's open their arms, despite all that's happened, and welcome them Home Again.