MAORI FILM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 620, 23 March 1929, Page 25

MAORI FILM

NEW PICTURE SCENARIO HELD BY VISITING PRODUCER

“I have collected quite a library of works dealing with the Maori in peace and war, and these, together with a mass of information from Maoris and leading authorities, provide ample pabulum for the picture I have in mind.” This was said by Mr. Alexander Marky, American journalist and producer, who made a New Zealand film for Universal last year. He has rereturned to Wellington and, in an interview with the “Dominion,” he outlined his plan for another Maori picture. “I have completed the scenario—it is here,” said Mr. Marky, indicating some 30 pages of typwritten text, “and during the present year the picture will be ‘shot.’ It will take a deal of organising in various parts of New Zealand, as the narrative shifts round from place to place. Some of the scenes will need the assembling of a thousand natives, and these I hope to get in the north of Auckland, where there are still some 14,000 Maoris.” Mr. Marky stated that the picture was not being made for any particular picture corporation, nor was it for the Government, which was prepared to assist him in every reasonable way. The capital had been wholly subscribed, and not being restricted to time, he hoped to be able to produce a truly epic picture of Maori life that would interest audiences everywhere.

“My experience has engendered the idea of producing an epic picture of Maori life of pre-pakeha days, a picture vibrating with a human story of universal appeal, but worked into its warp and weft will be incidents descriptive of the art, habits, customs and games of the unspoilt Maori.