N.Z. series sold at Cannes

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34147, 7 May 1976, Page 4

N.Z. series sold at Cannes

(By

ROBIN TURKEL)

Aardvark Films, which operates on a shoestring in Auckland, has scored a coup by selling its “Winners and Losers” drama series at the Cannes Festival, where producers use gilt-edged swimming pools for foot baths. Operating out of a stall smaller than a soft drink stand, Aardvark’s Roger Donaldson and lan Mune sold the seven-part series based on famous New Zealand short stories to Norway.

In fact, the Norwegians were so enchanted by the home-spun quality of the antipodean tales they allowed themselves to be talked into paying twice their normal price for the half-hour shows. Word from Cannes this week was that the sale will be worth about $12,000 — enough to finance the Donaldson-Mune marketopening trip that will take in Western Europe, England, Canada and the United States.

Sweden, not to be outdone by its Nordic neighbour, has also expressed interest in “Winners and Losers,” as has the BBC, the public broadcasting service in the United States, and Canadian Television.

Moreover, Aardvark put itself on the world film map. Jaded producers who thought they had seen everything returned to the tiny New Zealand stall time and again to chat with Donaldson and Mune, and ask them how they were able to produce their series virtually by themselves. “Winners and Losers,” is still running here on TVI. The final will be on Monday. The Aardvark sale is even more interesting viewed against the background of Cannes. Traditionally more window-shopping than buying is done there, with most agents authorised only to

recommend and report back rather than reach for their cheque books. Elated though they are, Donaldson and Mune, thought Cannes would be worthwhile even without a sale. The film festival, which follows the television festival is on this week, and they wanted to take in both. In between, the New Zealanders flew to London for further talks with the 8.8. C. Their business manager, Rob Whitehouse, also repre-

sented TV2 at Cannes. TV2 sent over five programmes, including three George Andrews “Encounter" documentaries: "Running with Walker.” “What Happens After You’ve Run to the Top" and “This Land is Ours,” about Maori land. The others were Hanafi Hayes’ “One Man’s View” look at the West Coast, and “Te Matakite O Aotearoa” about the Maori land march, co-produced with Seehear Films. There has been no TV2 word from Cannes yet.