Broadened interest in new film series

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 18

Broadened interest in new film series

Those who found last year’s “World Cinema” films a mite obscure might like to try "Film International.”

Screening in the latenight Saturday spot on One, “Film International” alternates sub-titled foreign films with Eng-lish-language ones, and TVNZ programmer Pat Hawthorne promises a broadened interest. “World Cinema” had a small but dedicated audience, but ratings never climbed to an acceptable level,” says Hawthorne. The “Film International” season includes more accessible items which, though unsuitable for other film spots due to their unusual nature or subtitled format, are essential viewing for any self-respecting fan of quality cinema or television. Another advantage to viewers is the more discreet advertising during these films.

The films — which look set to continue at least until June, with their ultimate continuance

determined by ratings — include commercially screened films, top film festival entries, and interesting television films. Included in the season are: • Two acclaimed films by American director Robert Altman: the hilarious comedy-cum-soap take-off, “A Wedding,” starring Carol Burnett, and the daring psychological excursion, “Three Women,” starring Sissy Spacek. • The first Chinese film to screen on New Zealand 1 television, “A Goodi Woman,” which looks at, life in the mountainous north of Gui zhou Province in 1949. • Margarethe von Trotta’s film based on the life of Baader-Meinhoff member Gudrun Ennslin; an exploration of the background to terrorism. • The vintage director Ingmar Bergman’s detailed, handsome study of a family reunion, “Fanny and Alexander.”

• “The Tin Drum,” a German film about a young boy who refuses to grow up. • The English film “P’tang, Yang Kipper Bang,” in which 14-year-old Alan sees through the summer of 1948 with dreams running through his head. • The late director Yilmaz Gurney’s important political drama, “Yol,” filmed in Turkey at great risk to all those involved. Screening tonight (Saturday) is “Poitin,” the first Irish film made in the Gaelic language, with English subtitles. The “poitin” of the title is a kind , of Irish moonshine whisky, made by an old man who lives alone with his daughter. The director, Bob Quinn, describes the film as “a horror story told amusingly,” and there is no music used because this is a “horrifically cold society.” “Poitin,” this week’s “Film International,” screens on One tonight at 11.10.