Open Air Captioned Film Screenings Welcomed

Media Release 21 January 2004

Open Air Captioned Film Screenings Welcomed

The Human Rights Commission has welcomed captioned screenings of three popular release films at the Viaduct's open air cinema.

The three films are:
* Finding Nemo - Friday 23 January 8:45pm (PG) 104 minutes
* Seabiscuit - Friday 6 February 8:30pm (M) 129 minutes
* Pirates of the Caribbean - Saturday 7 February 8:30pm(PG) 104 minutes

Captioned screenings are more explanatory than sub-titled films as they feature descriptions of sound effects as well as dialogue indicating who is speaking.

Human Rights Commissioner Robyn Hunt said the screenings made movies accessible and enjoyable for a whole new potential audience.

"The screenings mean that deaf and hearing impaired adults and kids will be able to more fully enjoy popular films. There are an estimated 420,000 to 450,000 New Zealanders who are deaf or hearing impaired.

"Captioned film screenings hold appeal for other audiences as well. The screenings will be of interest to the elderly, people for whom English is a second language and new settlers.

"I encourage people to attend the screenings and to spread the word so that captioned films become a regular feature of the cinema experience."

BVI has made the films available for open air screenings. The initiative follows an announcement in September 2003 of nationwide captioned screenings of several mainstream film releases during January and February.

The Viaduct Harbour's open air cinema features a 3-storey high cinema screen with seating for 2000 people.

For further information about captioned films screenings go to www.captionmovies.co.nz. For further information about open air cinema go to www.openair.co.nz.

HRC web site: www.hrc.co.nz.

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