FILMS IN NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 3

FILMS IN NEW ZEALAND

Literature

GORDON MIRAMS DISCOURSES Speaking Candidly: Films & People in New Zealand. By Gordon Mirams. Illustrated. (Paul's Book Arcade). 13s 6d. Speaking in the same critical tone as in his much-read film reviews, and under the same title, Gordon Mirams has produced a very interesting book about the kinema in relation to New Zealand. It is easier thus vaguely to indicate the nature of his book than to particularise. Those who peer into it for film-chat about the “ stars ” and their love life will be entirely unrewarded; those who expect the author to dogmatise about good and bad films will be disappointed. There is not even a list of “ ten best films ” in the book, though Mr Mirams’s choice is revealed in a few recurring titles which no critical reader will question, unless perhaps, to add or subtract a name or two. Yet Mr Mirams is opinionated

about films, and direct in his statement concerning them, and the public, and the trade, and his political views. He has a right to have views and air them, for he probably sits through more film screenings and knows more about them than anybody else in New Zealand, and he has trained himself in the technique of criticism and appreciation, as nobody else has done for professional purposes. He is, in fact, our only considerable film critic, and not the least attractive thing in this very engaging book is his sensible recognition of his position and its disadvantages—to him and film appreciation in New Zealand. It is disturbing, reading this book, to realise how few notable films—notable in the creative and artistic senses—there have been. It is alarming to be forced to accept the extent of power the films possess, so that, as Mr Mirams says, if the producers combined “ they could just about make us walk on our hands and eat grass.” But Mr Mirams possibly over-estimates the “Americanising” effect of the films in New Zealand. The reaction is as .self-operative as the response. And as he in effect denies the influence of films on children, why assert that grown-ups (mainly, as our author suggests of child mentality) should be materially influenced by them? His opening premise, that “if there is any such thing as ‘ New Zealand culture ’ it is to a large extent the creation of Hollywood ” indicates a confusion of mores with manners. It is probably as an escape from life, not as an amplification of experience, as a drug not a stimulant, that the average New Zealander goes to the pictures once a fortnight. But if it is easy to over-estimate the effect of a kinema predominately American in manufacture, theme and technique on whatever constitutes the national ethos, the strictures which Mr Mirams passes upon it as a- medium of culture are astute and timely. His discussion of censorship, with special reference to programmes for children, of the public need for the guidance of criticism, of trade problems, is always informing and constructive. There may be no ready general acceptance of his views as to the part'the State should play in directing the kinema industry, but there will be very certain agreement with his premises concerning the community value that could be derived from making available for exhibition the “non-box office” films, which at the present time are without outlets in this country. Altogether Speaking Candidly is an intelligent, lively and likeable book, which should interest all who consider the films deserve more consideration than an occasional visit. J. M.