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Controversial Film Screening at the Film Archive on Saturday
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- This Saturday, the Film Archive presents a very rare and special free screening of The Seekers (1954), a film that provides a remarkable insight into the history of early representations of New Zealand and Maori in cinema. In 1954, some audience members walked out in disgust during screenings of Ken Annakin's film. An outrageously dated and inaccurate portrayal of early colonial engagement with Maori, the film sought to illustrate the first contact between Maori and Pakeha. Produced by a British studio, scenes were filmed on location around the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua (particularly in Otarawairere Bay, Tikitere, the Aratiatia Rapids and around the shores of Lake Rotoiti) but the film has an almost reckless disregard for continuity of geography - disparate locations are cut together without a concern for accuracy. The Seekers tells the story of English sailor Phillip Wayne (Jack Hawkins) who, on a visit to New Zealand in the early 1800s, is befriended by Maori chief Hongi Tepe (Inia Te Wiata). Returning with his wife to settle, Wayne is entranced by Tepe's beguiling wife, Moana (played by Javanese actress Laya Raki). Viewers often respond with either laughter or gasps of horror to scenes like Raki's outrageous "native" dance, and there's little concern for accurately presenting Maori language or culture. The Film Archive purchased a copy of the film from a British distributor eight years ago and this screening will be the first public showing since it was screened here 54 years ago. Saturday, 13 September - 7pmThe Film Archive84 Taranaki StreetFREEwww.filmarchive.org.nz- Kiran
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