KALEIDOSCOPE: 8/5/87. NZ CINEMA, THE PAST DECADE

Reporter Alison Parr reviews some of the feature films produced in New Zealand during the period 1977 to 1987.

Includes clips from: The Quiet Earth, Utu, Wild Horses, Smash Palace, Footrot Flats, Heart of the Stag, Vigil, Goodbye Pork Pie, Bad Blood, Sleeping Dogs, Came a Hot Friday, Mr Wrong, Sylvia and Queen City Rocker, many of which feature actor Bruno Lawrence.

Visits the locations of Mauri and Illustrious Energy which were in production at the time the programme was made.

Interviews many of the people involved in feature film production including: John Barnett, Larry Parr, Don Reynolds, Gaylene Preston, Roger Donaldson, Vincent Ward, Geoff Murphy, Merata Mita and Leon Narbey and asks them about New Zealand style.

Critic and author Nicholas Reid also comments on New Zealand filmmaking and suggests that “in twenty years time we wont be any closer to defining New Zealand movies. In the end there is only good and bad films.” Reid describes New Zealand films as being dominated by a forceful, macho style and believes that Queen City Rocker shows a future trend toward more urban, video inspired films.