MOUNTAINS AND FLAX

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 87, 21 February 1941, Page 16

MOUNTAINS AND FLAX

HE ss propaganda cum documentary shorts which the Miramar Film Studios have been turning out lately are becoming distinctly interesting. A recent release, for example, covers the linen flax industry and its place in New Zealand’s war effort. Britain appeals for linen from flax, New Zealand decides to grow it. The fields are shown, the factories in Christchurch turning out the processing machinery, and a woman fitter stretching fabric over the wings of an aeroplane. It is well done, concise, illuminating, and photographed without unnecessary trickery. But-and this is the " but" the Miramar studios will have to face up toit reveals through one flaw in its simple directness the great disadvantage under which Miramar persistently labours. The short is just progressing satisfactorilythe material adequate yet restrained, the commentator not as nasal as usual, the camera well placed, and a small corner of New Zealand properly cast in its patriotic role-when Mt. Tapuaenuku suddenly appears snow-capped across Cook Strait. It is a splendid photograph of a splendid piece of New Zealand scenery. But why did it have to appear as a jack-in-the-box surprise? It had nothing to do with linen flax. The brief coastline shot of the plant growing wild was all that was necessary. Can Miramar never resist the temptation to "sell" our scenery at every opportunity?