The Other State: Film news and etcetera from New Zealand – June 2009

The Short Film

Six Dollar Fifty Man

Huge congratulations to the team (directors Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland) behind the NZ short film Six Dollar Fifty Man which won a special distinction at Cannes in May. This is only two years after winning the special distinction for the filmmakers previous short Run. Please someone give these guys a real budget – I want to see a feature! link

The Competition

Each year New Zealand’s filmmaking talent is put to the test during the 48 Hours Furious Filmmaking contest. This year’s competition took place over the weekend 8-10 May, with the Grand Final held on the 20^th June. The concept is simple – make the best film possible in only 48 hours. All creative aspects of the film must be created in the 48 hours allotted; even genre and other random elements are provided just before the timer starts to prevent any cheating. Now in its 7^th year, 48 hours has attracted the attention of Wingnut Films (Peter Jackson’s company) who now sponsor it and often enter a team to keep their talent on its toes.

Here is this years winner, Charlotte, from Dunedin based Team Line Men:

Charlotte is the first animated supreme winner. Here is my pick of the past winners. It’s called Jesse McCleod: The Journey from 2004, and has been described as “a friendly tale of family euthanasia”:

You can read more about the competition, and watch all of the previous winners here.

The Woman

This barely makes it as New Zealand news, as it relates to a British film (Bright Star) that premiered in France (at Cannes) starring an Australian (Abbie Cornish) – but it was directed by New Zealander Jane Campion (who lives in Australia). Whew. As with most ex-pat does good products the buzz in NZ was that Bright Star was set to win the Palme D’Or. While the film is receiving rave reviews from some, it also failed to set others worlds alight. One Little White Lies reviewer lists it in the best and worst: “Biggest Disappointment: That Jane Campion’s Bright Star, a turgid, middle-brow exercise in Quality Filmmaking, so successfully hoodwinked the general public.”

Bright Star will open the 2009 Auckland International Film Festival. I may go. I may also skip it and see Brüno which also comes out that day.

The Peter Jackson Empire

Peter Jackson has a lot on his plate – Lovely Bones is still in post-production, his Dambusters remake is still going ahead, and he is producing The Hobbit. This hasn’t stopped him from taking on a new role: leading a ministerial review of the New Zealand Film Commission. Jackson has been a vocal critic of the commission’s funding decisions in years past, this coupled with the brand new CEO might lead to a few positive changes down at the NZFC… {link}

The Film

Taika Waititi’s follow up to Eagle vs. Shark has just wrapped. The Volcano promises to be full of 1980s coming-of-age awkwardness. The buzz? – it’s gonna be ‘mean’. {link}

The Volcano

– Morgan Stewart

The Other State: Film news and etcetera from New Zealand.

The Man

After Dr. Ruth Harley left the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) for Screen Australia last year, one of the biggest roles in the NZ industry was up for grabs. It lay vacant for quite some time – until Graeme Mason was announced as her successor in March. The press release gives a slice of his CV and he’s had a solid international career and seems likely to bring a commercial eye to the industry. What gets me about the press release is the films he has been involved with – The Usual Suspects, Trainspotting, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Spice World – The Movie, and When We Were Kings – wait. Go back [rewind?]. Spice World? Either the NZFC publicist has a sense of humour or this may be a mark of things to come…{link}

The Buzz

The Strength of Water is a NZ/German co-production that is doing the rounds on the international film festival circuit – apparently to much acclaim. This is good news for one of NZ’s most established independent producers Fiona Copland (Topless Women Talk About Their Lives, The Price of Milk) and for the creative talent behind the film – first time director Armagan Ballentyne and playwright Briar Grace Smith. It tells the tale of two young Maori twins in a relatively remote North NZ town whose lives are interrupted when a stranger comes to town. Perhaps drawing obvious Whale Rider comparisons (coming of age/Maori youth/remote NZ) will benefit the film and help it turn a profit for the NZFC. And maybe nab another young Kiwi an Oscar nomination. Who knows?

 

The Peter Jackson Empire

I can’t really talk about New Zealand’s film industry without mentioning Peter Jackson. Well I could, but might have my citizenship revoked. Jackson has released a pretty pic from his upcoming film adaptation of The Lovely Bones. I’m thinking this one’s going to be more Heavenly Creatures than Meet the Feebles…{link}

Lovely bones

The Quick Link

The Quiet Earth. I love a good kiwi post-apocalyptic film. Now available on DVD it seems. [God knows we all need a cheerful distraction from the GFC -Ed] {link} 

The Rant

And whilst the NZ film industry may be flourishing, making money from US investors and getting recognition from overseas festivals – back home we seem to be stuck in a screen culture stasis. Auckland in particular lacks any kind of screen/moving image scene. Though having stated that – I will now have those that disprove it (please, I welcome it).

In an effort to undermine my own theory – I searched for a cinema event or screening that offered something outside of the current releases – to no avail. No cult film or classic film screenings. No interesting events tied in with screenings. I figure it mustn’t be there if I don’t know about it – I should be the target audience, no? – A true cinephile with a largely disposable income. A last minute search revealed the Human Rights Film Festival is on this week. THIS week. How come I didn’t know about this before?

Unfortunately for Auckland, Melbourne is my point of comparison here – from ACMI to Rooftop Cinema to the Astor to MIFF* to smaller privately run or student run festivals – there never seemed to be a cinematically dull patch on the calendar.

This, my dear Auckland will have to change. Even if I have to do it myself.

Morgan Stewart  

*[not to be confused with the Malaysian International Furniture Fair -ed]