N.Z. film gets punk-cult warning

Press, 25 November 1978, Page 2

N.Z. film gets punk-cult warning

Caution: Viewing of “Angel Mine” may be damaging to the way suburban dwellers think about themselves. The latest New Zealand film, described by its leading actress, Jennifer Redford, as “a subversive and erotic trip into the emotional jungle of suburbia,” opened at the Carlton yesterday. Its director, David Blvth, ,aged 22, and the producers

are in Christchurch to promote the film, which has had a mixed reception and raised the eyebrows of the film censor.

The film’s makers, however, are somewhat baffled by the censor’s warning that “Angel Mine’’ contains “punk-cult material.” They say nothing like that was intended. But the fantasy doubles of the suburban couple, what Blyth calls “the phantom couple,” do wear leather outfits and non-establish-ment make-up. Music is provided by the Suburban Reptiles.

Blyth admits that the film is anything but traditional: “We just jumped off into the wild blue beyond.” The production manager, Warren Sellers, says it is important for the growing New Zealand film industry to offer a range of products to the public. Two other New Zealand films will open next year: a satire about small-town life called “Skin Deep” and an adaptation of Roger Hall’s play, “Middle-Age Spread.” Blyth says it is hard to know what has caused some of the harsh reaction to his film, although it is “A fairly strong picture for people who live establishment existences.” Most writers for the main news media are from this background, he says. If the film is subversive, he says, it is only in the sense that it attacks a “New Zealand concept those people are desperately hanging on to. “We can’t go back to that Victorian wav of life.” Blyth believes the basic Suburban way of life is frightening. Sellers says some viewers may be disturbed by “the rawness of the scenes.” The film is full of tracking shots of new subdivisions that are not very pretty “and that sort of thing hurts people. They ; don’t want to see that.”

“Angel Mine” deals with a City situation, not the usual escape to the country, says Blythe. “Most of us don’t have that alternative of escaping.”

Miss Redford says many Of the fantasies of the suburban couple are “almost manufactured fantasies, like those fed to them by the media.” The couple’s fantasies follow them around. “It is sort of a split-per-sonality thing,” says Blyth. He feels that much antagonism toward the film may arise from - fears brought out by the fantasies. He sees the film as a black comedy but others may not see it that way: “One man said his girlfriend wouldn’t let him laugh during the film.”

“Angel Mine” will be shown with a short film made in Christchurch about 25 years ago. It is about a city husband who acts out how to make afternoon tea for his boss.

“It is very funny and relevant to our film,” says Blyth. “It shows the kind of role-playing that Patricia Bartlett would like to see. We chose it deliberately.”