A Provocative Season of Politics on Film
The personalities, issues, antics and intrigues that have often made politics over the decades such a great spectacle are all on show in this upcoming film season from Ngā Taonga which runs from 3 May through to 27 May at the Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision cinema in Wellington.
The political documentaries, films and archival footage which make up the season cover a highly diverse range of topics from child poverty to the Global Financial Crisis.
As well our very own curators have put together two outstanding compilation programmes that provide unique takes on our colourful political history. ‘Democracy Then’ focuses on election advertising in New Zealand from the 1960s to the 1990s and ‘On the Hustings’ features New Zealand’s often flamboyant politicians on the campaign trail from the turn of the 20th century through to the 1990s.
James Taylor, Ngā Taonga Cataloguing and Research Manager says, " On the Hustings and Democracy Then will be of real interest to those keen on our social history. They provide some fantastic insights into how we’ve progressed as a country."
Read on for the full season’s programme and book tickets, or download a pdf of the programme to print and share.
Programme
Four Horsemen
UK, 2012, 99 min, Exempt
In the wake of the global financial crisis this award-winning independent feature documentary lifts the lid on how the world really works.
7pm Wed 3 May | 7pm Thu 11 May | 7pm Fri 19 May book tickets
Inside Child Poverty
NZ, 2011, 45 min, Exempt
In 2011 Bryan Bruce investigated one of NZ’s most shameful social problems - why our child health is so bad.
5pm Thu 4 May | 5pm Thu 18 May book tickets
The War Game
UK, 1965, 48 min, M - Violence
The aftermath of a nuclear attack on an English city, in an Oscar-winning docu-drama from filmmaker Peter Watkins.
7pm Thu 4 May | 7pm Fri 12 May | 7pm Sat 20 May | 7pm Wed 24 May book tickets
Hot Air: The Politics of Climate Change in NZ
NZ, 2014, 92 min, Exempt
The story of 20 years of political struggle between those wanting to reduce NZ’s emissions and the corporate lobbyists working to protect commercial profits.
5pm Fri 5 May | 4.30pm Sat 20 May book tickets
Campaign
NZ, 1999, 90 min, Exempt
A gripping, candid look at the unpredictable 1996 general election battle for Wellington Central - the first under MMP.
7pm Fri 5 May | 7pm Thu 18 May book tickets
Reluctant Revolutionary
NZ, 2004, 92 min, ExemptThe meteoric rise of David Lange and his long, sad departure from politics.
4.30pm Sat 6 May | 5pm Fri 19 May book tickets
On the Hustings: Kiwi Politicians on the Campaign Trail
NZ, 60 min, Exempt
From flamboyant oratory to pure aggression, an election year compilation of Kiwi politicians across the decades from the vaults of Ngā Taonga.
7pm Sat 6 May | 7pm Wed 10 May | 7pm Fri 26 May book tickets
Hurricane Brash
NZ, 2004, 45 Min, Exempt
Political cartoonist Tom Scott narrates Don Brash’s controversial first 100 days as National Party leader.
5pm Thu 11 May | 5pm Thu 25 May book tickets
Mururoa 1973
NZ, 1973, 25 min, Exempt
In 1973 the anti-nuclear ship “Fri” set off from Whangārei to Mururoa Atol to confront nuclear weapons testing by the French Government.
5pm Fri 12 May | 4.30pm Sat 27 May book tickets
THE 5TH EYE
NZ, 2016, 112 min, Exempt
This documentary challenges NZ’s involvement in the Five
Eyes intelligence alliance, and tells the improbable tale of its 2008 sabotage by the Waihopai Three.
4.30pm Sat 13 May | 5pm Fri 26 May book tickets
Democracy Then
NZ, 60 min, Exempt
Political campaigning ain’t what it used to be. In these political broadcasts from the 1960s to 1990, politicians denounce, bamboozle, promise and decry.
7pm Sat 13 May | 7pm Wed 17 | 7pm Thu 25 May book tickets