Films

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 3

Films

Sir, —It is very frustrating to read in overseas magazines about films that have been made and shown in other countries, sometimes years ago, while we in Christchurch have to wait indefinitely for films we shall probably never see. When British audiences are proclaiming the virtues of such works as “Hiroshima Mon Amour,” “The 400 Blows,” and “Wild Strawberries,” we have to be content with descriptions of them and their excellence. Once we were privileged to see a few of the better Continental productions, but nowadays it is decidedly hit or miss whether we see any. Surely something can be done.— Yours, etc., FILM FAN. July 26. 1960. [The manager of a city theatre says that New Zealand releases of Continental and Asiatic films follow closely on their release in the country of their origin. They are either here within a matter of months or they are not seen at all. The films not seen are of an inferior quality and are not suitable for New Zealand audi-

ences. “Hiroshima Mon Amour,” mentioned by the correspondent was released in the United States only last May. Many outstanding examples of Asiatic and Continental films continue to be imported into New Zealand. Some examples that have been screened recently in Christchurch are “One Summer of Happiness,” “Wages Of Fear," “Quiet Flows The Don,” and “Gate of Hell.” The local theatre featuring foreign films will be screening one commencing on Friday and has three more arranged for the immediate future.]