Edge Message #122 from Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM
Left: All Black captain Richie McCaw; retiring Oxford Vice-Chancellor Dr John Hood; soprano Kiri Te Kanawa; film producer Tim Bevan; entrepreneur Wade Thompson (1940-2009)
NEW ZEALANDERS IN GLOBAL HEADLINES
New Zealand headlines in this sampling of global media appearing in The Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Brisbane Times, The Baltimore Sun, Geo, The Sydney Morning Herald, Telegraph, BBC, The Australian, The Age, Courier Mail, The Times, Guardian, BBC, Empire, Irish Times, Oxford Gazette, The Japan Times and The Sacramento Bee include:
• Richie McCaw “hunter of midfield backs, wrecking ball”, and “the man” – Telegraph
• John Hood gives retiring Vice-Chancellor’s Oration at Oxford – Gazette
• Kiri Te Kanawa performs in DC, urges students to find their voice – The Baltimore Sun
• Tim Bevan, film producer Working Title, honoured by Gotham Independents, NY – LA Times
• Wade Thompson, innovator of American travel and transport, dies Manhattan, 69 – WSJ
• All Whites into 2010 World Cup with 1-0 win over Bahrain, 35,194 Wellington fans – CNN
• All Blacks “overwhelm” France 39-12 in Marseille; “best display” all year – Sports Illustrated
• New Zealand 2009 ski season best yet; 1.5m hit slopes – Brisbane Times
• New Zealand relaxes migration policy; enticing foreign entrepreneurs – Telegraph
• Robert Wade, London School of Economics professor, predicts more recession – NZ Herald
• New Zealand, a Lonely Planet Top 10 country to visit in ’10 – The Sydney Morning Herald
• Temuera Morrison, sought by Ray Winstone in turn of century film Tracker – Empire
• Elizabeth Knox’s sequel to Vintner’s Luck, published to strong praise – Courier Mail
• Ian Grant, Wairarapa, says NZ newspapers have a strong future – Brisbane Times
• New Zealand “ideal destination to gain maximum distance from everyday life” – Geo Special
• Tekapo-Aoraki night sky World Heritage bid accepted; awaits final approval – Xinhua.net
• Whale Watch Kaikoura, winner of Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards – Telegraph
• Stuart Dryburgh, cinematographer, brings essential artistry to US biopic Amelia – Guardian
• New Zealanders understand underplayed luxury; “refreshingly unpretentious” – Telegraph
• ASR Limited’s Bournemouth artificial reef by Kerry Black opens; first of kind in Europe – BBC
• Robbie Deans, Wallaby coach, in purgatory until he beats All Blacks – The Australian
• Charlotte Dawson, The Contender co-host, candid about the men in her life – The Age
• Dan Carter sublime Man of the Match against Welsh in All Black win 19–12 – Guardian
• Dr Greg Browne, geologist, discovers dinosaur tread, NW Nelson – PT India
• Challenge NZ sees UK gap year contestants blog way round country to win competition
• Otago University researchers study effects of abortion on 500 women – Telegraph
• Peter Dengate Thrush, chairman ICANN, heads “biggest change” since internet began – BBC
• Jonah Lomu, 34, 2019 World Cup ambassador and in “best shape ever”
• New Zealand’s low production costs mean Californian milk ad shot here – LA Times
• Brenda and Robert Vale, authors Time to Eat Dog compare SUVs to pets – Telegraph
• University of Auckland develops ice cream to relieve chemotherapy side-effects
• Jane Campion’s Bright Star “work of an auteur back in charge of her material” – Irish Times
• Jemaine Clement, Conchord, now Chevalier, talks live shows and Predicament
• All Blacks win over Wallabies 32–19 in front of 44,030 in Tokyo – The Japan Times
• New Zealand Land Transport amendment bans drivers using hand-held phones – Xinhua.net
• Rotorua “think Yellowstone” but with zorbing, caving and luges thrown in – The Sacramento Bee
• Owen Glen’s Matamata-trained Monaco Consul wins $A1.5m Victoria Derby – The Age
DENIS O’REILLY: NGA KUPU AROHA/WORDS OF LOVE, BLOG #36
It’s the Putting White That Counts!
Den reckons it’s alright to be white in Aotearoa. He says he’s comfortable in his skin as a card-carrying Pakeha, a member of Tangata Tiriti, and a paid up subscriber to the Treaty of Waitangi. He’s a Kiwi, belongs here, and is subject to conservation and protection orders. He recalls past dealings with Hone Harawira but concludes that despite some frustrations with him Hone has an important role to play in our nation building. Den suggests that if he can’t be included in Parliamentary politics he returns to the politics of the street and focuses on politicising the brown proloteriat. Responding to Winston Peters’ challenge he could join the Maori gangs and lead them past their self defeating behaviours and Gonville lifestyles to become a new form of Nga Tamatoa. Following the death of Martyn Sanderson, Den reflects on this man’s life and his use of theatre to resolve Black vs White conflicts and to right wrongs. He concludes “it’s the putting white that counts”. (3,442 words)
LA SCREENING FOR THE TOPP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS
Screening at The Fairfax Cinema, 7907 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles 90048,
(323) 655-4010
Fri 4th 7pm / Sat 5th 3pm / Sun 6th 3pm / Mon 7th – Thurs 10th 7pm
Presented by Diva Films, NZ Film Commission, NZ On Air, and SweeneyVesty
“A doco that has you falling in love with two of the crazier people you’ve never met.” Variety (LA). “It takes a very special documentary to deny Michael Moore a top festival prize, but to see The Topp Twins is to fall in love with it.” Screen International (London). “Enormously likeable, warm-hearted, moving and very funny. The Twins have mastered the difficult art of being very funny without excluding anyone from the joke. Part sing-along, part concert, part comedy show, their act covers all the bases.” Eureka Street (Melbourne).
Director Leanne Pooley, Producer Arani Cuthbert
Cadillac Peoples’ Choice Award – Toronto International Film Festival 2009
Audience Award – Melbourne International Film Festival 2009
Best Feature (under $1million) – Qantas NZ Film & TV Awards 2009
Best Original Music in a Feature – Qantas NZ Film & TV Awards 2009
Here are the Top 10 titles for November:
- Kea – Mountain Parrot, NHNZ 1993 – Doco about our beloved avian prankster
- Close to Home, TV 1975 – Pioneering Roger Hall-created soap of the Hearte clan
- Face of Fashion, music video 1989 – Chris Knox’s animated single-frame facial hair clip
- Best of Billy T James Collection, TV 1992 – Billy T’s humour at its non-PC best
- Gliding On, TV 1981 – Award-winning series satirising the pen-pushing working life
- Gloss, TV series 1987–1990 – Yuppies, shoulder-pads, Walkmen; cult “glitter soap”
- Face to Face With Kim Hill, TV 2003 – Infamous interview with journalist John Pilger
- Not Given Lightly, music video 1989 – Another self-directed classic by legendary Chris Knox
- Aeon, short film 2004 – Wellington is given the ‘time-scape’ treatment in this award-winner
- In a Land of Plenty, doco 2002 – Exploration of the story of unemployment in New Zealand
Top picture, Moutuotau Island, Mt Maunganui; above, Palliser Bay from Wharekauhau. More pictures at www.paradiseroad.com. Fern symbol via www.nzflag.com.
