NEW ZEALAND FILMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 230, 17 December 1927, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND FILMS

BIG POSSIBILITIES COMPANY TO BE FORMED i The motion picture as a factor, in enhancing or otherwise, the prestige of a country in the eyes of other countries has become an established fact of late years. It has been the realisation of this that an Empire-wide movement to encourage and support British films has been instituted. Progress in this direction has been slow, but the time is rapidly approaching when the movement will have embraced the whole Empire. The time is therefore opportune for a serious attempt to be made in New Zealand in undertaking feature film production on a scale compatible with the natural advantages and possibilities of the Dominion for the work. The suggestion is not that a scheme should be undertaken to compete against America, but rather that in New Zealand there are a number of facilities which could be taken advantage of on a small scale. The varying scenery, from mountain to rivers, the variety of human activity, and the excellent photographic quality of the daylight throughout the year, are but a few of the natural advantages to be had in the Dominion. There is at present a scheme in hand to form a company with sufficient capital to undertake and complete from three to five feature films, taking advantage of the natural settings of this country, and then to form a substantial company which would enable it to carry out the larger schemes contemplated. The financial success of the company would depend upon the average success of a number of productions instead of on the initial one, and thus would be on a sounder basis than previous companies spoken of. The type of picture to be undertaken would be the simple outdoor production of healthy theme, and would bring in the habits, customs, scenery and sports of the Dominion. It has been said in England that one such film from New Zealand dealing w'ith the Maori and his customs was the type of picture looked for in the Empire.

There are several good stories !n hand for reproduction to the silver sheet. A producer is available, and artists and staff are waiting, fully competent to produce the first outdoor productions. A strong feature of the present proposed company is the fact that it is intended to incorporate an existing film company, the profits of which have been put back into the business.

There is every possibility of a company of this description meeting with considerable success, and it needs only the support that will make it possible for the business to proceed.

The cry throughout the Dominion is for local production, and with an opportunity such as this to exploit the natural beauty of the country and talent of New Zealanders, the scheme is one which should appeal to everyone as being worthy of support.