The Film Festival. Ah yes… for me, another consumer anxiety attack in a booklet. Haven’t managed to do more than the smallest flick through so far, but one is a stand-out for LeafSalon.

Shirley Horrocks, the film-maker behind superb documentaries on Allen Curnow, Len Lye and Marti Friedlander, has turned her attention to Albert Wendt. The New Oceania is a feature-length documentary about this dedicated and groundbreaking novelist, teacher and poet.

Shirley went with Albert to Samoa and spoke to friends and family. She has also pulled together a whole raft of archival footage and interviews, plus samples of his poetry and fiction and a dramatisation of his playwriting. The result has had rave reviews.

It was filmed in Samoa (Wendt’s birthplace), New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii and, as well as following Wendt’s life and career, it’s a showcase for other Pacific creativity across the full range of the arts: dance troupe Black Grace, hiphop artists Tha Feelstyle and other writers, actors, painters, and fashion designers all feature.

Screenings are:
Auckland: Academy Cinema, Wednesday 20 July, 7.45pm, Thursday 21 July, 11.30am.
Wellington: Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, Sunday 31 July, 2.15 pm.
Christchurch: Rialto 2 Cinema on Sunday 7 August, 12.30 pm.