N.Z. Films Shown On Moscow TV Screens

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28783, 2 January 1959, Page 8

N.Z. Films Shown On Moscow TV Screens

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, January 1.

Audiences on Moscow’s television network recently saw and greatly appreciated the documentary film, “Meet New Zealand.” Russian educationists were vastly impressed by the range and nature of New Zealand Education Department school bulletins.

Other Russian audiences, both technical and sporting, showed keen interest in two other New Zealand documentary films. “The Snows of Aorangi** (skiing and mountaineering), and the third Rugby test between the All Blacks and the Springboks. These were some of the results of a three-week visit to Russia by the 'New Zealand film censor. Mr G. H. Mirams, as a guest of the Soviet Ministry of Culture.

‘“Hie Russians are very interested in New Zealand,’’ said Mr Mirams today. “They ask questions—non-political ones—and at times they seem flattered that someone from so far away should visit them. The films of New Zealand were a big success, and justified my dragging them along. They were even interested in Rugby, though the game there is—uh, they call it ‘football’.” Mr Mirams said that the invitation was extended to him by the Soviet Union in his official capacity as film censor—“but I would like to think also that it was as a film authority and critic.” He spent 12 days in Moscow, where he was shown over alm and television studios, four days in Leningrad, and the rest of his time in a flight by TU-104 jet a irliner to Tashkent in Uzbekistan. “One phase of the visit which interested me greatly was the making of films for children and adolescents.’’ said Mr MI rams. “In Russia today the accent is on youth. Apart from Great Britain. I believe Russia is the only country which has gone into the production of children’s and adolescents’ films on a large scale It is a State operation, of course.” “Quality Productions”

Mr Mirams said he was surprised at the extent of the film and television studios in Moscow and Leningrad, and at the quality of the work produced. He would say that Russian cartoon work, for example, was well up to American in quality. He was well pleased with the effect of the films and Education Department publications he took with him “Thev were well

worth it,” he said, ruefully, “though I had to pay £l5 in excess freight to get the pamphlets and films from London to Moscow

“You see, it is important to offset the common misconception over there that New Zealand is a part of Australia. I hope I have helped to do this.” On life in Russia in general, Mr Mirams made the following points: He was neither shadowed nor was travel made difficult. The Russian citizens were cheerful and forbearing, “more so than people of France or the United

Kingdom can be.” Work is part of the Russian faith. “I was made very welcome.” said Mr Mirams. “They went out of their way to let me see things. Their forbearance with foreign tourists was refreshing, to say the least. They are afraid of war—that is. the common people you meet are—mainly because war would interfere with their work programmes, would set back their plans. There is no doubt in my mind that the Russians are just as anxious to keep the peace as we are.”

He said that the people he had met were very interested in the New Zealand way of life. A great change seemed to have come over Russia with the death of Stalin The previous suspicion of foreigners was not there any more

He was permitted to move freely about Moscow, and he made many visits to the ballet and the opera Mr Mirams had an interpreter allotted to him, but this man was not obtrusive, and spoke quite freely. On his departure, Mr Mirams was asked by the Deputy Minister of Culture if he had any suggestions for further improving cultural relations between Russia and New Zealand.

“I suggested that a Maori concert party would be a success in Moscow,” said Mr Mirams. “And I also suggested that he print a Russian cookery book in English. The way to the heart lies through the stomach, you know, and I could not find an English-language Russian cookery book anywhere.”