N.Z. Film Festival

Press, 27 November 1980, Page 18

N.Z. Film Festival

The sprouting New Zealand film industry of recent years is beginning to blossom with a variety of movies — several of which already have received overseas acknowledgement it is a pleasure to watch that ever-growing touch of professionalism replacing the former sense of amateurism that automatically (although not always deservedly) was associated with local film making. To prove this point, the Academy will present a two-week festival of about 30 films, beginning tomorrow:

Tomorrow, 6.30 and 5.30 p.m.: Suitably, the festival starts with "Rewi’s Last Stand,” the 1939 classic about British regulars who settled after the Maori wars of the 1860 s. Supported by “The Doll’s House.”

Saturday, 3 p.m.: “Wild Man.” New Zealand’s answer to Barry McKenzie. Supported by “Dagg Day Afternoon.” Saturday, 6 and 8.15 p.m.: “Skin Deep,” about a city-trained masseuse who arrives in a small town to set up shop in the local health club. Supported by “All the Way Up There.” Sunday, 5.30 and 8.30 p.m.: “Nambassa: The

Film,” a Woodstock-like look at a musical and lifestyle event attended by about 50,000 people. Supported by "Pacific Panorama.”

Monday, 6 and 5.15 p.m.: "Solo,” the story of four people who lead four sorts of solo lives, including some high flying. Supported. by “Down and Out on the Waitemata.”

Tuesday, 6 and 5.15 p.m.: “Sleeping Dogs,” which made many people realise that the New Zealand film industry was coming of age. Supported by “Coal Valley." Wednesday, 5.45 and 8.30 p.m.: “Test Pictures,” was New Zealand’s first experimental film, with eleven vignettes about a

young couple which decides to shift into the country. Supported by “Guns' Ho: Rewi Alley of China?’

Thursday. 6.30, 7.30 and 8.30 p.m.: “Lincoln County Incident,” a film by the students and staff of Lincoln High School. Directed bv Tonv Brittenden. this delightful “spaghetti" western has proved to be a remarkable success.

Friday, December 5, 6 and 8.15 p.m.: "Middle Age Spread.” a comedy about a middle-aged schoolteacher based on Roger Hall’s stage hit. ported bv "Jane.” Saturday, 2 and 3 p.m.: "Nutcase,” the story of a group of baddies who hold Auckland at a SSM ransom with a threat to reactivate the city’s volcanoes with atom bombs. Starring Jon Gadsby. Saturday, 4.30, 6.30 and 8.30 p.m.: “Off the Edge,” about an American and Canadian who venture into isolated territory in the Southern Alps with skis and hang gliders. Supported by "Score.” Other major films will include "Angel Mine,” “Sons for the Return Home,” “In Spring One Plants' Alone,” “Runaway,” “Games 74” and “Bevend Reasonable Doubt.”