Celebrating New Zealand Cinema
Canterbury Film Society brings rare, foreign, classic, experimental, and otherwise uncommon films to the big screen. And the society fosters a film lovers’ culture where films can be debated, discussed, and enjoyed as a group. We believe that it is culturally important to be able to view New Zealand films on the big screen, so this year our programme includes a special selection of 17 New Zealand films: 13 short films and four features. The package of films that we propose comprises pristine 35mm prints that have been sourced from the New Zealand Film Commission and through the New Zealand Federation of Film Societies. Join us in celebrating local film culture.
Tangata Whenua
a programme of Maori short films
30 October
Five short films including Taika Waititi’s Oscar-winning Two Cars One Night and his more recent Tama Tu – a tribute to the bonds of humour that pass among a group of young soldiers of the Maori Batallion. Toby Mills’ Te Po Uriuri , Michael Bennett’s Kerosene Creek, and Reina Webster’s The Little Things round out the package.
Kiwi Animation
a programme of NZ animated short films
16-Oct
The Orchard, 1996, Director: Bob Stenhouse; The Nightwatchman, 1993, Director/Screenplay: Joe Wylie, John Robertson; The Grocer’s Apprentice, 1997, Director: Sebastian Doyle; Decaff, 1997, Director/Screenplay: Greg Page; Delf, 1997, Director/Screenplay: James Cunningham; Infection, 2000, Director/Screenplay: James Cunningham; Grass, 2004, Director: Simon Otto; and Egg & Bomb, 2005, Director: George Port.
Forgotten Silver
directed by Costa Botes & Peter Jackson, 1995
20-Mar
Peter Jackson’s masterful mockumentary that has rarely been screened apart from its initial screening on NZ television. In this apparent documentary, Jackson discovers that his elderly neighbour is the widow of Colin MacKenzie, undoubtedly cinema’s most unsung auteur. Despite pioneering film effects like sound, colour, and tracking shots, his monumental bad luck rendered him completely forgotten. Jackson takes it upon himself to discover the set of his biblical epic Salome, and see that this forgotten genius is given his rightful kudos. This film caused a stir when aired on television and many viewers believed it to be true, only to find in the subsequent days that it was a “mockumentary”. Jackson’s current notoriety makes this film especially appealing at present.
State of Siege
directed by Vincent Ward, 1978
20-Mar
Ward’s first film, a moody adaptation of the Janet Frame story that follows the last days of Malfred Signal, a retired single art teacher who has shifted from her South Island provincial city to an isolated island community, as mental illness sets in. With Ward’s subsequent national and then international success, and with his newest film River Queen recently released, it is an opportune moment to screen his first film, made while he was a student at the University of Canterbury. To be screened on the same night as Forgotten Silver since both films are just under an hour long.
Illustrious Energy
directed by Leon Narbey, 1987
3-Jul
This film provides an uncommon cultural perspective of New Zealand, following the stories of two Chinese gold miners in a remote valley in Central Otago, New Zealand, as they struggle to improve their lot. Because of the climate of violence towards the Chinese, and Chinese cultural obligations (such as obligations towards elders), this film is revealing about the relationship between Chinese and New Zealand cultures.
Pictures
directed by Michael Black, 1981
2-Oct
Another interesting film, from a cultural perspective. In New Zealand, at the end of the 19th Century, Walter Burton is embittered by warning from authorities that he is not to exhibit photographs he has taken of Maoris taken prisoner by Colonial troops. When his more pragmatic brother, Alfred, joins Walter in New Zealand, Alfred is prepared to comply with official suggestions that he takes pictures of Maoris likely to be more acceptable in London. To become better acquainted with Maoris, Alfred engages the dispossessed Ngatai to accompany him on an expedition up the Wanganui River with John Rochfort, a Government surveyor seeking a route for a railway through the North Island. Based on a true story.
Links:
Our presentation of this special programme of local films has been made possible with the support of:
Our activities have been sponsored this year by:
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