NZ Film Archive Brings Local Films Home To Northland

The New Zealand Film Archive Brings Local Films Home To Northland

Regionally themed films reach the Far North when the New Zealand Film Archive travel to present a programme of local historic material from their collections.

This November a selection of locally themed films from the Film Archive vaults are heading Northland way.

Curated by Diane McAllen, introduced by Film Archive Kairangahau Lawrence Wharerau, and accompanied by local pianists, evening screenings will be presented in Whangarei, Dargaville and Kaitaia.

These Northland screenings are a compilation of short films, showcasing stories that focus respectively on Whangarei, Dargaville and Kaitaia. The Dargaville screening is being undertaken as part of an ongoing fundraising effort for the re-establishment of a cinema in Dargaville, a proposed 62-seat cinema to be built in the former library located within the former Municipal Chambers and War Memorial Hall complex.

An amazing record of what has changed, this selection of shorts shows Northland from Whangarei to Kaitaia as seen through three main perspectives: the local, the holiday-maker and the official government publicity office. Highlights include the harvesting and processing of strawberries in 1927, activities on the water, street parades, gum digging and dairy farming.

As well as nationwide screenings, The Film Archive also provides regional access to its collections through the medianet digital network, located at museums, art galleries and public libraries through-out the country.

“Through medianet, visitors and researchers have hundreds of videos from the collection available at their fingertips. Just "point and click" to view full quality full length feature films, documentaries, home movies, short films, advertisements, music videos - there is something there for everyone, and its free!" says Film Archive project developer Diane McAllen.

“We're thrilled to have a medinet site partner at Whangarei District Library. This is a resource that we are building and adding to over time, in direct response to the feedback from the community. The content has been selected to appeal to a wide range of users, whether their interest is in New Zealand film culture, history, local history, literature, the arts, popular culture or Maoritanga." says Diane. "People who live in the Whangarei District have come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we have tried to reflect this variety in our selection of content."

The Film Archive will be loading more content of specific interest to Northland communities on to the Whangarei Library medianet, including: amateur footage of the 1953 Waipu Centennial Celebrations; Waitangi celebrations from the thirties through to the seventies; the 1948 Whangarei Popular Girl Contest; footage of activities in community halls; documentaries about local industries such as cement, glasswork, timber, gas and dairy farming; and holiday home movies of campsites and baches up and down the coast.

The New Zealand Film Archive staff will be onsite at the medianet station in the Whangarei Library from 11am-1.30pm on Tuesday 29 November to show you through medianet and answer any questions about accessing the collections.

Northland medianet presentations and evening screening details are as follows:

MEDIANET ONSITE PUBLIC PRESENTATION *Whangarei* MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER New Zealand Room, Whangarei Library, Rust Ave 11am - 1pm, free.

THE WINTERLESS NORTH FILM PROGRAMME *Whangarei* MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER Old Library, Community Art Centre, 7 Rust Ave 8pm, $5. Door sales only.

*Dargaville* TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER Presbytarian Church, Cnr Parore and Normanby Streets, Dargaville 5pm & 7.30pm, $10. Fundraiser. Tickets available from Waldens and at the Door.

*Kaitaia* WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER Te Ahu Cinema, Cnr Matthews Ave and State Highway 1 7pm, $5. Door sales only.

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