ニュージーランド映画祭2006 : 各種上映作品と「世界最速のインディアン」  [in Japanese] "New Zealand Film Festival 2006" and The World's Fastest Indian  [in Japanese]

2006年度は、大使館主催で初の本格的なニュージーランド映画祭が開催され、日本未公開の作品が字幕付で数多く上映された他、「キウイ魂」の具現化とも言える実在の人物バート・マンローを主人公に据えた作品「世界最速のインディアン」も上映されるなど、ニュージーランド映画を愛する人々にとっては嬉しい一年となった。実際に作品をご覧になられた学会員の方々も数多くいらっしゃるものと拝察するが、ここでは僭越ながら皆様を代表して、幾つかの作品をご紹介させて頂くこととする。

To NZ movie lovers' delight, "New Zealand Film Festival 2006" was held in May 2006 and The World's Fastest Indian was released in February 2007. The former consisted of features such as River Queen, No.2, In My Fathers Den, Perfect Strangers and Rain along with other shorter films. Those who participated in the event were able to meet some of the directors and watch performances by Te Puia. People there really seemed to have been enjoying the NZ atmosphere of the event. The latter is based on a true story of a New Zealander Burt Munro, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins. The story is filled with Munro's various episodes of Kiwi spirit. Other recent topics with regards to NZ movies are: the release of Dororo, Mr.Whiti Ihimaera's visit to Japan, and showings of The Whale Rider at a museum in Ueno in conjunction with the exhibition of Maori treasures. I look forward to attending more NZ cultural events coming up in the future.