New Zealand Cinema
Cinema in New Zealand proves to be a slight mystery even
today. With the industry only truly getting started from the 1970’s, the works
are largely contemporary with characteristics from Hollywood mixed with New
Zealand’s (NZ) own national identity of isolationism.
Isolationism is key in NZ
society with a relatively similar land mass to the UK but a considerably lower
population of around 60 million less people.
New Zealand film overall has a dark outlook on the world and
the quote “Stories
of murder, domestic violence, revenge and kidnapping have been named the best
New Zealand movies ever made.” Which
suggests that the real hard-hitting issues of everyday life and isolationism
are the core themes of the contemporary NZ look.
Once
Were Warriors (1994) was a part
of the renaissance period in NZ cinema where several dark and serious films
were being produced into the mainstream. The renaissance period refers to the 1990’s
where tax breaks were in force for filmmakers, allowing the industry to find
relative domestic success. Nevertheless, it wasn’t long before people began to
take advantage of the cash influx and breaks in tax.
Before the NZ film commission was launched in 1977,
Documentaries were hugely popular. They were a method of showcasing NZ’s natural
landscape to convey a utopian idea of living. An open land of freedom with vast
amounts of wilderness to move further away from living styles in the western
world, more specifically former colonials the UK.
Vigil (1984) represents this use of landscape effectively
well [1]“The
innocent body of an adolescent girl is interfaced with a primordial New Zealand
landscape that, while appealing to our nostalgia for an archaic, primitive
past, discloses the inevitability of a new post-colonial identity.”
One of the most significant NZ films is Goodbye Pork Pie (1980). Early in
the NZ film commission it was important for NZ cinema to appeal to a wider
audience in order to attain revenue but more importantly gain real interest for
further films to be made. An intense and comedic film focusing on a New
Zealanders quest to break from the mainstream. Goodbye Pork Pie has largely been considered as the catalyst for
the NZ cinema industry’s’ rise.
Hunt for the Wilder
People (2016)
is a perfect example of New Zealand Cinema using its wonderful landscape to
advantage. A light-hearted adventure comedy which portrays the discrepancies of
life in the wilderness and the more suburban areas of NZ. Also highlights the
importance of youth in NZ cinema.
Once were Warriors,
Hunt for the Wilder People & Vigil all show a tenderness and importance
to the development of life as a young person in NZ. In Once were Warriors we see the eldest son of the family become
immersed in Mauri culture in an attempt at finding his own direction in life. This
period is described as [3]“A
period of freedom between the controls of childhood and the conformity of
adulthood” Which is why NZ cinema directs so much importance to their youth.
NZ cinema provides a blend of dark, hard-hitting and
beautiful landscapes all incorporated into a film. It is without doubt one of
the most unique styles in cinema and will no doubt build on it’s early success
into the wider cinema world.
[1]
Wiles, M.M. The Coming-of-Age Girl in
contemporary New Zealand Cinema (University of Texas Press, 2007)
[2]
Wiles, M.M. The Coming-of-Age Girl in
contemporary New Zealand Cinema (University of Texas Press, 2007)
[3]
Shary, T. & Seibel, A. Youth Culture
in Global Cinema (University of
Texas Press, 2007)
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