Nelsonians Urged To Support Whenua Iti

June 11 2012

International Movie Producer Urges Nelsonians To Support Whenua Iti

On Friday June 29, Whenua Iti Outdoors is joining the ranks of Barak Obama’s think tank, Kofi Annan and the EU parliament by giving an invited screening of ‘The Age of Stupid’ movie that sent ripples around the world.

The movie features the late Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name of the Father, The Usual Suspects, Brassed Off ) as a man living in the devastated future world of 2055, looking back at old footage from our time and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?

Whenua Iti has the rights to screen the movie at their lower Moutere property as a fundraiser. The Age of Stupid will kick off a series of thought-provoking movies to be screened at the Whenua Iti hall, 375 Moutere Highway. Tickets must be bought in advance by contacting Whenua Iti directly on 03 526 7842 or info@whenuaiti.org.nz

New Zealander Lizzie Gillet, currently based in New York, is one of the producers of the movie which was the number one at the UK box office on its opening weekend. There have been screenings of the film in the UN, the World Bank, the US Government Environment Agency and in the UK, Australian, Swedish, Canadian, Australian and Dutch Parliaments. Kofi Annan personally hosted a screening at the Global Humanitarian Forum and President Obama’s think tank also had a private screening.

Featured in Harpers Bazaar as one of twenty exceptional women changing the world for the better, Lizzie Gillet says she’s totally supportive of Whenua Iti showing the movie as a fundraiser.,

“It’s great that Whenua Iti is going to be benefiting by showing two movies I’ve been part of producing because they’re the small guys trying to make a big difference in their community and that’s a key part of what these movie’s are about.

‘The Age of Stupid I’d sum up as being about putting up a mirror to ourselves and asking the hard questions about what we really value and care about. I hope it strikes a chord with you, and as supporters of Whenua Iti, who also have a strong ethical and environmental education focus, I hope you’ll take that next step to ask yourself what you can do to improve our world.”

The Age of Stupid screening is at Whenua Iti on Friday June 29th starting at 7.00pm. Tickets are $15 and you will receive a free glass of wine and nibbles at the start of the evening. Tickets are limited so you need to book quickly to ensure a seat.

Whenua Iti Manager Michelle MacNeil says Whenua Iti is a charitable trust and it needs support to keep delivering its highly respected courses.

“We know the community values what we do so It’s great to have Lizzie Gillet behind our efforts as well. We see this as the first screening of movies people will love to see. They can go home having had a stimulating night out and also knowing they’ve contributed something back to Whenua Iti Outdoors.”

Over the five year production of the film, Lizzie managed a crew of 105 people in six countries and a budget of one million pounds. Lizzie Gillet says as a producer of this low budget movie and” McLibel’ (which will screen at Whenua Iti later in the year), she can empathise with community organisations who have to fundraise.

“I initiated the ‘crowd-funding’ model for this movie, where lots of small investors became shareholders. We were also grateful that the late Pete Postlethwaite agreed to take on the lead role for just a nominal fee. That fact that is movie was made with limited resources yet it inspired reaction and support from across the world will hopefully inspire you, and your own community, that with a passionate vision you can achieve anything. I hope Whenua Iti gets the people of Nelson to support this screening, says Lizzie Gillet.
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