The Paragon

Yeah this is a cult —  you’ve joined a cult bro.

– Oates (Shadon Meredith)

You will come to the point of singularity. At that point you will experience the object directly.

– Lyra (Florence Nobel)

[Michael] Duignan's new feature delivers a cosmic odyssey through New Lynn (and beyond), casting the city in his shimmering visions of 80s-inspired fantasy films – all on a shoestring budget of $25,000.

– Stuff writer Jonny Mahon-Heap on The Paragon, 26 June 2023

It’s this idea that New Zealand is a place where the news seems small and mundane, so you can start running with your imagination — and that takes you to very strange places.

– Writer/director Michael Duignan on New Zealand being fertile creative ground, Stuff, 26 June 2023

There’s so many films in the mix, it’s like a weird mix between John Carpenter and The Princess Bride. It’s a weird, dark fairytale — with a little bit of Coen Brothers.

– Writer/director Michael Duignan in a Stuff interview, 26 June 2023