High hopes on N.Z. films

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 15

High hopes on N.Z. films

The Christchurch-based Video Club, which hires and sells video cassette tapes, is’ negotiating’ for the home' video rights for New Zealand . films, with the aim of promoting them overseas. Mr Greg Hurreir arid Mr Chris McKellar, of ’ Christchurch, set up the Video Club in May. They also have a. retail ; outlet in Wellington. At present, they have access to video-cassettes of movies from Warners, RTC Video and Video Power, and they hope to get. access to ;E,M.I. video cassette movies soon. ’ / Customers can either buy the cassettes, or hire them. If they join the “club” they hire at a reduced rate .of $5.50 a

night; otherwise the rate is $lO a night. ' “We are negotiating with the Film Commission for the home video rights to New Zealand movies such as ‘Scarecrow’ and ‘Smash Palace’,” said Mr McKellar. “Good-Bye Pork Pie”-and “Sleeping Dogs”- had already gone to another video company, he said. “I think there is a definite market for these films on video overseas. The movies were well accepted overseas, and I’m sure if they were promoted properly, the video versions would go well too,” he said. About 120 people had .joined the “club” since it ■ began in May. It was also hoped to get people in rural areas to join by offering them reduced rates, he said. Mr McKellar said he was also thinking of making tourist video tapes to be sold overseas for the tourist market: , “New Zealand films should sell well because of the scenery,” he said.