90 mins |
Rated
E
“Islands Of The Empire”, by Vanguard Films, was the definitive documentary on all aspects of the NZ/US political and military relationship. It was filmed at that critical historical point in the mid-1980s just before when, as a result of the massive peace movement and a change of Government, NZ went nuclear free and got kicked out of ANZUS. Both of those are still current today.
Those featured in the original film include the late Owen Wilkes, Tim Shadbolt, Maire Leadbeater, Murray Horton, and footage of the political leaders of the time, such as Prime Ministers Rob Muldoon and David Lange.
Because that film existed on video only, it has not been able to be widely viewed for a long time. Over the past couple of years, Vanguard Films has digitalised it, put it onto DVDs, and added an extensive number of right up to date Bonus Features.
Those interviewed (in 2019) for the DVD are: Nicky Hager, Keith Locke, Maire Leadbeater and Murray Horton. Spoiler alert: the interviews demonstrate that precious little has changed in the NZ/US relationship in the nearly 40 years since “Islands” was originally made.
On the night we will screen the original film and some (but not all) of the Bonus Features. Total screening time is just over 90 minutes. The full DVD is three hours. DVDs will be available to buy at the event.
This will be the national premiere for the updated “Islands” (the original 1980s’ premiere was also held in Christchurch and in the Arts Centre). Vanguard Films of Wellington has been making progressive documentaries and films for 40 plus years. Both the original and the update were made by Alister Barry, Rod Prosser and Russell Campbell. All three of them are coming to Christchurch for the premiere and there will be a chance to talk to them, both before and after the screening.
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“Islands Of The Empire”, by Vanguard Films, was the definitive documentary on all aspects of the NZ/US political and military relationship. It was filmed at that critical historical point in the mid-1980s just before when, as a result of the massive peace movement and a change of Government, NZ went nuclear free and got kicked out of ANZUS. Both of those are still current today.
Those featured in the original film include the late Owen Wilkes, Tim Shadbolt, Maire Leadbeater, Murray Horton, and footage of the political leaders of the time, such as Prime Ministers Rob Muldoon and David Lange.
Because that film existed on video only, it has not been able to be widely viewed for a long time. Over the past couple of years, Vanguard Films has digitalised it, put it onto DVDs, and added an extensive number of right up to date Bonus Features.
Those interviewed (in 2019) for the DVD are: Nicky Hager, Keith Locke, Maire Leadbeater and Murray Horton. Spoiler alert: the interviews demonstrate that precious little has changed in the NZ/US relationship in the nearly 40 years since “Islands” was originally made.
On the night we will screen the original film and some (but not all) of the Bonus Features. Total screening time is just over 90 minutes. The full DVD is three hours. DVDs will be available to buy at the event.
This will be the national premiere for the updated “Islands” (the original 1980s’ premiere was also held in Christchurch and in the Arts Centre). Vanguard Films of Wellington has been making progressive documentaries and films for 40 plus years. Both the original and the update were made by Alister Barry, Rod Prosser and Russell Campbell. All three of them are coming to Christchurch for the premiere and there will be a chance to talk to them, both before and after the screening.