Magic Mountain Movies

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 599, 15 August 1995, Page 10 (Supplement)

Magic Mountain Movies

If you're wondering what to do after a hard day on the Mountain, or you're feeling all skied out but don't want to wake up with (another) hangover, then check out Whakapapa movies at The Grand Chateau theatrette.

Running from July to September, Whakapapa movies is the brain-child of Yvonna Chrzanowski and Bob Forgan, both residents of Whakapapa Village. The idea came about because they are both keen movie goers but found themselves too far away from any cinemas to enjoy their passion. "We decided that we'd try and utilise the theatre that already existed in The Grand Chateau, and bring the movies here for the people that live here as well as the people that visit," Yvonna says. The cost will be $6.00 per screening, which is a bit less than the price charged by city cinemas. "It's not intended as a money-making venture," Bob says, "but we're hoping we won't lose money. That's the main thing - and it looks like it could quite easily be selfsupporting." Many popular films will be screened, with the movies- being sourced out of distributors in Auckland who handle Tri-Star, Fox and Disney. The format will be 16 millirnetre, which is fairly high quality. "We won't be able to get films being currently shown at the theatre," Bob

says, "but we will be showing good films that people won't mind seeing again." Titles already sourced include White Men Can't Jump, The Big Chill, Raising Arizona, The Silence of the Lambs, The Lion King and Jurassic Park. Screenings will be on Sunday and Monday evenings, although this could change if there is sufficient demand for extra sessions. "If we suddenly find we're getting packed theatres and we're beating people off at the door, then we'll look at additional screenings," Bob says. "We're quite flexible about that." Yvonna says that matinee sessions may be available during the school holidays if there is a need for it. Future plans include the possible formation of a Whakapapa film society, allowing for the screening of some less mainstream movies. The Grand Chateau theatrette holds around 40 people, and audiences will be welcome to use hotel facilities such as the bar. It was unknown whether jaffas and popcorn would be available at this stage. Screenings begin on Sunday July 2.