Wealth of N.Z. films

Press, 4 April 1987, Page 23

Wealth of N.Z. films

A Zealand Him. By Mchoiae RMd. John Mdndoo, 1986. 144 pp. Illustrations. $24.95 (paperback).

(Reviewed by

Hans Petrovic)

At a time when this country's film industry is at a nadir, with only two or three features under current production, this is a good moment to reflect on Nicholas Reid’s "A Decade of New Zealand Film” — from 1977 to 1986, from “Sleeping Dogs” to “Came a Hot Friday.” During this period, more than 60 feature films were made in New Zealand, including more than a dozen that promised to give this nation a sorely needed shot of self esteem. This was a period during which I felt I was privileged to watch the development of a vital, new industry, as I had earlier followed the healthy growth of Australia’s Industry from the days of “Picnic at Hanging Rock.” In this book, Reid, a former film reviewer of the "Auckland Star,” presents the history of the New Zealand film industry in a thoughtful, well-researched introduction that takes up almost 20 pages. In the best essay I have read on the subject, he goes back to the first newsreels of the 1890 s, the pioneering

work of Rudall Hayward and John O’Shea, up until the 19705, when “something started to happen.” “Many times more feature films were made in New Zealand between 1977 and 1986 than had been made in the previous 80 years,” Reid tells us. But the situation began to change again in 1982, when most of those tax incentives which had encouraged private investment in film were swept away, he says. The bulk of the book consists of Reid’s personal, highly perceptive appraisals of the 12 films which he considers the most sigificant of the 10year period just ended: “Sleeping Dogs,” “Skin Deep,” “Middle Age Spread,” “Smash Palace,” “The Scarecrow,” “Pictures,” “Utu," “Trial Run,” “Vigil,” “Came a Hot Friday” and two documentaries, “War Years” and "Patu!” I do not fully agree with his choice, but his critical comments are entertaining and informative. Complete with full listings of all major New Zealand feature films since 1977, co-productions made with foreign capital and talent, and fulllength documentaries, this is a necessary book for anyone interested in this country’s film industry up the present day.