The Aro Valley Film Club presents Scenes From The Aro Valley - A mini-retrospective - April 20-23

The so-called "Aro Valley Film Movement" was a small-scale revolution in the way feature films are made in NZ. While the filmmakers themselves no longer live and work in the titular area, the Aro Valley Film Club represents a period in New Zealand filmmaking where intense creativity, integrity and an independent spirit met with emerging digital technology to produce a series of critically acclaimed but not widely seen films.The Aro Valley Film Club presents Scenes From The Aro Valley - A mini-retrospective - April 20-23

The so-called "Aro Valley Film Movement" was a small-scale revolution in the way feature films are made in NZ. While the filmmakers themselves no longer live and work in the titular area, the Aro Valley Film Club represents a period in New Zealand filmmaking where intense creativity, integrity and an independent spirit met with emerging digital technology to produce a series of critically acclaimed but not widely seen films.As New Zealand film becomes both nationally and internationally more prominent not to mention larger and more expensive these films present three unique and rigorous cinematic voices and reflect the real diversity and breadth of talent that exists in the filmmaking community.

Screening at the Paramount from 20 April to 23 April is a small retrospective of DV films made by local Wellington filmmakers in the last five years.

The films showing in the retrospective are:
SHIFTER - Dir Colin Hodson
Probably one of the cheapest features made in NZ - shot for about $120, although post-production added some more - and made in weekends, often with a crew of one, Shifter is one of the funnier and more disconcerting of the Aro Valley films, following an enigmatic loner forced to move house a little more often than he prefers.

For review : Shifter (2000, Dir. Colin Hodson)

MURMURS - Dir. Elric Kane and Alex Greenhough
Elric Kane and Alex Greenhough were slightly later entrants to the club. Murmurs is their second feature. The film measures in seven concise doses the failing efforts of an uncomfortably familiar group of flatmates. Their evolving style utilizes an ensemble cast, a patient and refined shooting and editing style, and an interest in mining the way people fail to get on with each other.

For review: Murmurs
(2004, Dir. Elric Kane and Alexander Greenhough)

LITTLE BITS OF LIGHT - Dir. Campbell Walker
The final film of the retrospective and Walker's third feature, Little Bits of Light, is probably the most expensive film produced within the "School". Screened successfully at last year's film festival and in international festivals, it's an intense film about a couple dealing with depression. It was actually shot in the Taranaki, which is nowhere near the Aro Valley.

For review: Little bits of light
(2005, Dir. Campbell Walker)

Plus short films prior to features and party on the Saturday night with live bands.

Paramount April 20-23

For more information on the Aro Valley Film Club and Scenes From the Aro Valley contact Campbell Walker on 027 345 3268.