NEW ZEALAND FILMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 1 August 1925, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FILMS.

GREAT HOPES FOR FUTURE. HISTORICAL RESOURCES. The probability of a successful and established' film industry in this country is- of more than passing interest. As all the world knows, America, 01more exactly, California, is. the meccn of the motion picture: industry, and it has been said that in consequence the world- very often gets the American point-' of .view 1 from the screen, says the Auckland 1 Herald. “Will tbis American monopoly mean the gradual Americanisation of the British people?” asked Mr. Henry Wayward'. “That is the fear in- the minds- of leaders of British thought, and'however efficient may be American civilisation, we believe that. British civilisation, with its arts, its literature, and- its traditions, is best suited to our people. The Homeland is .struggling liard to establish a British cinema art, and while up to the present no great success, has attended, its efforts, yet we have faith that ultimately the genius and industry of England will find real expression every nnit of our great Empire should provide its quota in helping to make British pictures for British people, and. that is why our New Zealand producing company has made “Rewi’s Last- Stand. Mr.' Hayward also stated that o\er thirty million British people m • the Empire every week attended the ei ma theatres, and . 90 per. cent, of Jbe pictures they saw were American, wliile only 7 per cent, were British'. No Society Plays. The aim of the Maori War Films, Limited, is to turn out New Zealand pictures for New Zealand people.. Itis not proposed to rival American, companies in the production of hectic society plays, neurotic sex problems, or great spectacles. Such pictures have already been perfected in the studio of Hollywood. In the words of Mr. Hayward, “we have turned towards and set»-our hearts upon the splendidromance and reality of New Zealand » pioneer days—the brave old times when,. by the grit and loving labour of our pioneer' men and women, th : foundations of this wonderful Dominion W iT has been said, and not without fbiindation, that New Zealanders, especially young New Zealanders, less about, their owir country others. The'presentation of New ;A?n landil» will combat this. It posed by the new company to exploit first New Zealand’s rich historical ■resources and then the wonderful scenic beauty- The Dominion has sufficient historic lore for a-hundred firms ami exquisite settings for innumerable productions. _ . & Variety of Scenery.

New Zealand is second only to California as'a country favourable for'film production. One of the first considerations of the camera man is the question of light. Good light is essential for o-ood films, and the light in Hew (Zealand is stated! to be first-class. Then a°-ain the Dominion has an abundant variety of scenery, from thy wild; and rugged highlands to the placid fields below. The, company will not produce .films during the winter months, but-will confine its activities to the summer. Everything for the producing of the pictures, including the actors, will be erttifgly of New, Zealand . origin, with the' exception of the film itself, which will be imported .either from England or America. : ■ The present company has learned much bv the experience and-failures of other companies whielr haive. endeavoured to exploit the Dominion as a filfuprodneirtg field. It, claims none of the matchless technique of the Americans, ■Of their army of tried players*, scenario writers, and;'-their artistic photographers. They have only , the open air, for: a studio at present, and a baud' of young New Zealand players, whose Zeal and' enthusiasm must- be- weighed against,perhaps, their lesser knowledge of technique. . j The first picture, “R-e-wi s Bast Stand, .’ 7 which will be screened; in ■Auckland shortly, will be followed by a film which’ will have for its background . the kauri timber industry. Then it is hoped- to :depict the old v ha I ihg- days when Russell' was- capital.-

ENGLISH COMPANY’S VENTURE. SCREENING MAORI LEGENDS. With the object of making at least four motion pictures in New Zealapil, Mr. G. Pauli, director of the recently established' English film company, fhe Sphere Film Company, of London, arrived at Auckland by the Arawn. .; '

Mr. Pauli, who' was originally a. Danish artist of not©- and an exhibitor.: in the Royal Academy of Denmark, entered the. picture business; in .1914. “For many years now I have been interested in Maori legend,” he said in an interview. “I have read, all the legends that I could lay my hands on, and for some time past have worked on the idea of transforming then* to the screen.” He has written two stones based, on Maori legend, and these he hopes to film in this country. He has- brought with him all the machinery, film and necessary ecjuipment. for the making, of motion pictures, but hopes, to pick his company in New Zealand. In addition to the two films dealing with Maori legend, Mr. Pauli also anticipates making a picture with the adventures of Captain Cook for a background. If all goes well he will also make a modern story with New Zealand farm life, as the main tliente. Accompanying Mr. Pauli is Mr, J. Donald, formerly of New Zealand. He is also a director of the- Sphere Company. They propose travelling through New Zealand to pick out. the- best settings for the films, and will spend five or six months in tMfji.; couiftry. The films will then be taken to England, where they will be edited and then relessccl* » Last year Mr. Pauli was in Africa directing the filming of the life of Livingstone in the interests ot the Livingstone Film Company. The company walked 1200 miles through, dense bush and followed the trail taken bv Livingstone.'