| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Monthly Film Bulletin June 1948

Page history last edited by FilmSociety@gmail.com 8 years, 9 months ago

THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY INQUIRY

 

The Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into the motion picture industry began its hearings on May 18 and, at the time of writing, has reported its first week of sitting. The proceedings have been well reported by the local Press. Surprisingly, the direction of the Inquiry has been turned largely in this first week towards those questions in which members of any Film Society can be reckoned to take a lively interest.


A report in the Evening Post (May 21) of Mr. Justice Stilwell's evidence mentions His Honour referring to the "outstanding questions" of licensing and sub-standard films. The decisions made about the licensing of sub-standard film exhibitions are of vital concern to a Film Society. His Honour, giving evidence as Chairman of the Film Industry Board, said: "I am firmly of the opinion that only people who have an intimate knowledge of the commercial and administrative side of the film industry are capable of advising the Government effectively and usefully, and of retaining the most essential factor - the confidence and co-operation of the industry."


It is not clear from the report whether His Honour thinks that Film Societies, whose existence is dependent on their continued freedom
to exhibit sub-standard film, should not be consulted before measures are passed that might hinder their continuance. However, the New Zealand Film Institute had, on the previous day, submitted that should the law be defined precisely in relation to sub-standard film the conditions non-commercial exhibitors have to fulfil at present should be maintained with slight amendments enabling educational bodies complete exemption from licensing.


The evidence of the New Zealand Film Institute was presented by Mr Hilton Power, acting Secretary of the Institute. Its work as a co-ordinating body for Film Societies was outlined and a detailed statement was made of the functions the Institute could properly undertake if adequately financed. The recommendation of the Institute was that it should be recognised by the State and that funds be made available to enable it, among other things, to:-
-    act as an information centre on all matters affecting the film;
-    catalogue all non-commercial films available in New Zealand;
-    expertly appraise all films and publish classified lists denoting the suitability of films for various purposes;
-    promote research into various aspects of the cinema.;
-    establish and maintain a statistical service;
-    assist in the establishment of a national collection of films of permanent value.


In connection with the question as to whether it was desirable in the national interest to foster the production of feature films in New Zealand, the Institute pointed to the high standard already achieved by the National Film Unit, but suggested that there was room for an improvement in the quality and an increase of the scope of the Unit's productions. After considering the administrative structure of the Unit, the Institute recommended that a National Film Board on the Canadian model be set up, the question of feature film production be considered at an early date, and a first-rate British director be asked to collaborate with the National Film Unit on a feature film that might put New Zealand as much on the map as The Overlanders had put Australia.


Information of interest to members was revealed by Counsel for the Kerridge interests during a cross-examination of Mr. Power. It was intimated that negotiations are at present in progress with Continental producers to secure the release of their films in New Zealand, and that Mr. Kerridge is setting aside one theatre in Auckland for the screening of films other than American and British. The Institute had claimed that many films widely praised overseas have never been screened in New Zealand. It will indeed be a pleasant surprise if Kerridge theatres give New Zealanders the opportunity to see not only recent foreign productions, but also those many famous films like La Bete Humaine, A Nous La Liberte, and Zero de Conduit, to name only three from one country, that have been available for some years.


Evidence is to be given by the chain theatres and the exchanges in the coming week.

 

 

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.