Maori Television is presenting the free-to-air exclusive premiere of the critically acclaimed New Zealand documentary  OPERATION 8 – which looks into the 2007 anti-terror raids.

The documentary screens on Sunday, 30 October at 8.30pm, four years after the nationwide raids that resulted in 18 arrests and just weeks after the Government passed controversial covert surveillance legislation.

In October 2007, more than 300 police raided 60 houses around the country, many in the Ruatoki valley in the heart of Tuhoe country.

The raids followed more than a year of surveillance of Maori sovereignty and peace activists accused of attending terrorist training camps in the Urewera ranges.

Directed by Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones, OPERATION 8 asks questions about who was targeted and how evidence was gathered, andincludes first-hand accounts from some of those arrested as well as academics and professionals involved in the case.

The case against the so-called “Urewera 18” has been mired in debate from the start. In September this year, the Supreme Court’s ruling that some evidence was inadmissible resulted in charges against 13 of the 18 being dropped.

It also led to the Government’s passing of a covert surveillance bill under urgency this month.

Made over three years, OPERATION 8 is a must-see for all New Zealanders interested in the debate between personal freedoms and national security.

Tune in to OPERATION 8 on Maori Television, screening Sunday, 30 October at 8.30pm.

Inspired by the Nelson Trolley Derby and shot entirely in Nelson KIWI FLYER is a feel-good movie for the whole family.

Twelve year old Edward Hall stars as Ben who sets out to win the derby in memory of his father. Tandi Wright is his mother Karen, trying to keep that memory real, while fending off the advances of Ben’s teacher Mr Lumsden (Dai Henwood).

Jazz Crooner and Beaurepair’s front man Vince Martin heads the opposition, with Nelson talents Doug Colling and Myer Van Gosliga as his sons Shane and Shannon and Jane Winter of Soundstage, as wife Shirelle.“It’s hard to single out any one performer in the film – it’s been a terrific ensemble cast and the kids have been real pros,” says Simpson.  “Vince and Dai’s presence added so much humour that came across superbly on screen, while Tandi’s motherly instincts really shone.”

Following four weeks of shooting on location in Nelson, KIWI FLYER has wrapped, with many of the cast and crew making a sad departure.

“Filming in Nelson has been just fantastic,” says Christchurch-based director and co-writer Tony Simpson.  “The weather has been stunning – clear blue skies almost continuously and the people have been marvellous – so generous and supportive.”

“It couldn’t have been as successful without the help of so many local organisations and individuals,” agrees Producer Tim Sanders.  “From Nelson Intermediate, the Trolley Derby Club, the Hot Rod Club, Scouts and many others. ]]> http://newzealandfilmtv.co.nz/2011/09/kiwi-flyer-wraps-up-filming-in-nelson/feed/ 0 http://newzealandfilmtv.co.nz/2011/07/strongman-tragedy-documentary-calls-for-involvement/ http://newzealandfilmtv.co.nz/2011/07/strongman-tragedy-documentary-calls-for-involvement/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:48:24 +0000 admin2 http://newzealandfilmtv.co.nz/?p=1727 [ Read More ] ]]>

Journey into Darkness – The Strongman Tragedy, a documentary currently in production about  the Strongman Mine explosion that claimed the lives of 19 men, and the subsequent Commission of Inquiry.

The 90 minute telefeature is being produced for TV3 by Paula McTaggart from A Bigger Picture Ltd in association with Gaylene Preston Productions, with funding from the prestigious New Zealand On Air Platinum Fund.

Acclaimed filmmaker Gaylene Preston will direct the dramatic content of the feature-length programme, which will blend dramatisation with interviews filmed by McTaggart along with archive gathered over the past four years.

“I am humbled by the stories of lives completely thrown into chaos by that explosion in 1967,” says Preston.  “It is an honour to be involved in bringing the story of this terrible mine tragedy and inquiry to the screen.

Opened in 1939, the state owned Strongman Mine (11 kilometres north-east of Greymouth) was the pride and flagship of NZ’s coal industry and the largest underground coal mine in the country.  On 19 January, 1967, an explosion blew through the section of the mine known as Green’s No 2.

The telefeature is a labour of love for Runanga-born and raised Paula McTaggart, who comes from a long line of coal miners.  McTaggart has been developing the project since 2007, when a visit to her uncle, the late Ron Gibb, sparked her interest in this largely untold New Zealand tragedy.  Gibb was one of five men from Mines Rescue who received the British Empire Medal for their actions during the tragedy.

“The more he spoke, the more I felt that this was a critical piece of NZ history that had been largely overlooked outside of the West Coast”, McTaggart explains.

“My Uncle and I talked about the possibility of a documentary and he shared with me his knowledge of the tragedy along with the material to go forward.  Ron had a strong desire that the truth be told.”

McTaggart began filming interviews for the project in 2008.  TV3’s Head of Factual, Sue Woodfield, says the documentary’s gripping story of bravery and human resilience in the face of disaster will resonate with all New Zealanders.

“Although this project has been in development for several years, there’s a terrible sense of history repeating itself with the recent tragic events at Pike River, and the current Royal Commission.

“This is a very important film.”

McTaggart says the production team is interested in hearing from anyone who would like to be part of the documentary, at the email address enquries@biggerpicture.co.nz.

“It is important that those involved have the opportunity to contribute to the project,” she says.  “I hope that more people will come forward to tell their individual stories, or to share photos, film footage or other materials.”

Journey into Darkness – The Strongman Tragedy is being produced for TV3 with funding from New Zealand On Air’s Platinum fund which is reserved for high quality programs of historical and cultural importance with a significant relevance to New Zealand and New Zealanders.

TVNZ 7’s launches a new local show – Raising Children In New Zealand – about parenting children from birth to age three.

The ground-breaking series is based on research that confirms the crucial importance of the first three years, will provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for Kiwi parents and caregivers by combining the knowledge and expertise of New Zealand’s key child-focused agencies.

Raising Children in New Zealand is a joint initiative between Barnardos, Plunket, SKIP (the Family and Community Services arm of The Ministry of Social Development), TVNZ 7 and the Lion Foundation. The 10-part half hour series, as well as more than 40 short episodes, will provide a valuable source of practical information covering everything from breastfeeding, postnatal distress and how becoming a parent changes your life, to toilet training, coping with ear infections, parenting styles and encouraging good behaviour.

A free DVD of the series will also be distributed to all new parents through Plunket and Barnardos and episodes will be available to view online on TVNZ Ondemand and on a new Raising Children website which will provide additional information and links to other useful websites.

Featuring 18 core families, each of the 10 half-hour episodes will also be fronted by a well-known New Zealander and will focus on a particular age and stage of the first three years. These celebrity parents include actress Monique Bree (Kirby on Go Girls), sports presenter and former Silver Ferns’ captain Bernice Mene, All Black Cory Jane, TV presenter Sonia Gray and actor Kiel McNaughton (Scotty on Shortland Street).

Raising Children is the brainchild of producer Jude Dobson, who has been producing parenting TV shows for the past nine years. Inspiration came from an Australian resource which has been available to Australian parents since 2007.

“There has been a real need in New Zealand for a show like this,” says Barnardos Chief Executive, Murray Edridge. “It puts parenting in the spotlight and highlights what a hugely important job raising children is.

“The first three years last forever. Getting it right is hugely important – for our children, for families and for society in general,” he says.

The New Zealand International Film Festival 2011 (NZIFF) will screen 20 short works as part of the MIC Homegrown Short Film Programme.

2011 has been a successful year for NZ short films and many of the films selected have screened to acclaim at international film festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Berlin and Tribeca in New York.

Deborah Lawler-Dormer, the Short Film Programme curator said “This year it’s great to support such a diversity of voices. Alongside the NZFC funded films we have independent films that have been created purely by passion and commitment to the art form.”

NZIFF has also expanded its support of emerging film-makers this year through a new initiative in Auckland at the Wintergarden (under The Civic Theatre) which will be utilised as The Film Café. Additional historic short film collections, film maker discussions and panels are all being programmed to give local film makers a chance to get even more out of the International Festival.

The New Zealand International Film Festival opens in Auckland on July 14^th, for more information see www.nzff.co.nz. The MIC Homegrown programme will run in Auckland on July 15^th and 16^th before travelling with the festival nationwide.

Twelve of the films selected have been funded through the NZ Film Commission – details below:

KORO’S MEDAL, directed by James Barr, travels to Edinburgh International Film Festival next week for its International Premiere. As a film made for children it will screen at the NZIFF in front of a (currently secret) children’s feature film.

BLUE, directed by Stephen Kang, has just won the Best Short Film Prize at the Semaine de la Critique in Cannes. Stephen is travelling to Shanghai International Film Festival on Friday to raise interest in his next feature film.

MEATHEAD, directed by Sam Holst, was one of nine films selected to compete at Festival du Cannes this year. Meathead has also been selected for the Melbourne International Film Festival.

EBONY SOCIETY, directed by Tammy Davis, has screened at Sundance, Berlin and Message Sticks in Australia. Tammy has attended all three festivals and has been funded for his next short film which is in pre-production now.

GO THE DOGS, directed by Jackie van Beek, had its World Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Jackie is currently in post-production on two more short films and developing a feature film to be shot in the Mackenzie country.

PREFERABLY BLUE, directed by Alan Dickson, has screened at SXSW, Tribeca and Stuttgart Film Festivals. Alan has been short listed with the NZFC low Budget scheme ‘Escalator’ with an animated feature film he is developing.

HAURAKI, directed by Kirsten Green, had its World Premiere at Tribeca earlier this year. The film stars Kirsten’s daughter Coco Lovatt and was initially self-funded.

MENISCUS, directed by Maria-Elena Doyle, is about to have its World Premiere at Annecy International Animated Film Festival. It’s the first NZ film to be selected for this prestigious festival. Elena has also been funded to produce her next short film entitled ‘INORGANIC’ this year.

EELING, directed by Peter McCully, has recently been selected to screen at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in Korea, Asia’s largest genre film gala.

BIRD, directed by Jane Shearer and Steve Ayson, has been selected by Sydney International Film Festival and Palm Springs in the US. This film is the third in a highly successful collaboration between the directors which started with The French Doors in 2001 and was followed by NATURE’S WAY which was selected for Cannes in 2006.

MONIFA, directed by Luke Savage, is hot off the press and has been completed just in time for the NZIFF so this screening will mark the film’s World Premiere.

ELAINE RIDES AGAIN is directed by Michelle Savill, who has just completed a 3 month internship with leading independent film company Killer Films in New York.

The documentary explores disturbing research suggesting that our exposure to everyday electromagnetic fields could be hazardous to our health.

It examines how we are constantly surrounded by radiation – from cell and cordless phones, wi-fi internet, cell towers, powerlines, and even from our electric blankets. Every call you make on a cell or cordless phone is pumping radiation straight into your brain. Every hour your kids spend in a wi-fi enabled classroom is an hour spent immersed in a fog of electromagnetic forces.

Could this invisible radiation cause a devastating public health crisis? Is our new technology the new tobacco or asbestos?

Electromagnetic radiation is now being linked to a host of serious health problems – ranging from depression and miscarriage to Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

Many scientists and health professionals are now warning that our long-term exposure at levels well below the existing safety standards could result in a massive global public health crisis – worse than crises caused by tobacco or asbestos because we are all exposed.

Is Your Cell Phone Killing You? Will screen on Wednesday, June 22nd at 8:30pm on channel 3.

THREE NEW ZEALAND FILMS PREMIERE AT SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Desert, Love Birds and Tracker have all been selected to screen in the Panorama section of the Shanghai International Film Festival this year.

International Panorama is one of four major sections at the festival and showcases a wide selection of films from around the world.

Desert, the debut feature film from writer/director Stephen Kang, follows the story of Jenny, a young pregnant Asian girl living in Auckland who is left to fend for herself when she is abandoned by her Kiwi boyfriend just before they are about to get married. Rejected by her Asian community for getting pregnant to a westerner out of wed-lock and after unsuccessfully searching for her boyfriend, Jenny is forced to look inside herself to find a positive solution for her and her unborn baby.

Desert premièred at the Pusan International Film Festival in October 2010 and is currently in release in New Zealand. Kang’s debut short Blue was last week awarded the Grand Prix at Critics Week which is a sidebar alongside the Cannes Film Festival.  Stephen and producers will attend Shanghai where they will be doing preliminary casting for their upcoming feature ‘Summer Rhapsody’ which stars a female Chinese lead.

Love Birds is the second feature film collaboration for director Paul Murphy and writer Nick Ward (Second-Hand Wedding). A hilarious romantic comedy that tells the story of a regular Kiwi bloke who finds himself on a quest to find true love – all with the help of a native New Zealand Shelduck – Love Birds stars Golden Globe winner Sally Hawkins (Happy Go Lucky, Made in Daggenheim)and NZ stand-up comedian and actor Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords). The film has just completed its theatrical release in NZ.

Tense chase movie Tracker completes the line-up of NZ films selected. Starring Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast, The Edge of Darkness) and Temuera Morrison (The Green Lantern, Once Were Warriors) Tracker tells the tale of a guerrilla survivor of the South African Boer War who lands in colonial New Zealand and is promised a huge bounty to capture Kereama, a Maori seafarer accused of killing a British soldier. A UK/NZ co-production Tracker was written by Nicholas van Pallandt and directed by Ian Sharp.

The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), founded in 1993, is China’s only A-category international film festival accredited by the FIAPF. It is an excellent platform to promote widely and communicate with media.  For more information on the festival: http://www.siff.com

Written and directed by Tamasese, The Orator (O Le Tulafale) will be a first inasmuch as it will be entirely shot in Samoa, in the Samoan language, with a Samoan cast and story. The first day of principal photography will be 27 October.

Making the announcement, NZFC CEO Graeme Mason said, “The themes in The Orator are universal – love, courage, personal adversity and honour. New Zealand has an extremely strong connection with Samoa and we are excited to be involved in the production of this film and the discovery of Samoan tradition and values by the New Zealand theatrical audience.”

Produced by Catherine Fitzgerald (Rain of the Children, Event 16, Two Cars One Night) with Associate Producers Maiava Nathaniel Lees and Michael Eldred, The Orator is the story of Saili, a small man with a big heart, who must find the strength to speak up for those that he loves.

The film will star newcomers Fiaula Sanote as Saili, and Tausili Pushparaj as his wife Vaaiga. It will be shot by acclaimed NZ cinematographer Leon Narbey (No 2, Dean Spanley, Whale Rider).

Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Misa Tellefoni said today, “The film will bring the finest aspects of traditions of our Samoan culture into the international spotlight. It is a beautiful and poignant love story that will provide a moving tribute to the magnificent splendour of Samoa and our Samoan people.”

The Orator has been financed by the New Zealand Film Commission. It will be distributed in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific by Transmission Films, who most recently released BOY. NZ Film, the sales arm of the NZFC, is handling world sales of the film.

New Zealand’s multi award winning online drama and telefeature Reservoir Hill has won a coveted Qantas Film and Television Award for Best Children’s/Youth Programme.

The show’s creators, Wellington-based directors Thomas Robins and David Stubbs, are delighted with their latest award. “It is a great honour to be recognised amongst the best in New Zealand television and film – to win the award was the icing on the cake,” says Robins.

The revolutionary show, which allows viewers to interact with the main character and influence the storyline via SMS, is now one of the most highly awarded youth drama programmes in New Zealand history.

Since first airing in October 2009, Reservoir Hill has won a number of prestigious awards including New Zealand’s first International Emmy Award and a TUANZ Innovation Award.

“Reservoir Hill is a whole new dimension in storytelling. The programme pushes interactivity boundaries to new levels, and this season it’s a whole new audience experience, another world first,” he says.

The second season of Reservoir Hill is currently airing on the TVNZ Ondemand website. This year Robins and Stubbs are continuing to break new ground and have taken technology to another level. Viewers can not only communicate with the show’s central character, Beth Connolly, via SMS text message; they can now also explore and interact with Beth’s dreams on-line.

“We’ve created a website where viewers can use a computer mouse to uncover clues and unlock the secrets buried deep within Beth’s subconscious mind. It’s the 4th dimension!” says Stubbs.

David Stubbs and Thomas Robins of KHF Media in Wellington, were also nominated in the Qantas Best Director – Drama/Comedy Programme category.

The new interactive dream space is available at http://tvnz.co.nz/dreamspace

The show itself can be viewed at www.tvnz.co.nz/reservoirhill

Skype on the Panasonic Viera HD TV set

Panasonic New Zealand has announced availability of Skype on VIERA High Definition TV

For sometime Panasonic have been aiming to do a deal with Skype to include a built-in support for the internet service allowing users to makae a free voice or video call to another Skype user. They finally have completed the deal and now you can have acces to Skype on the latest Viera High Definition TV’s.

Viewers will be able to access the Skype service by pressing a button on their remote. And you can purchase a specioally engineered high definition (720p) video Sype Camera (sold seperately for $249) to place on the top of your TV Set. The cheapest model in Panasonic’s line-up to gain Skype support is a 32-inch LCD model that sells for $1399.