A Festival of Film under the Stars

Media Release – for immediate release

Black Barn OpenAir Cinema – A Festival of Film under the Stars

Hawke’s Bay is welcoming its ninth OpenAir Cinema season starting on December 27th at Black Barn Vineyards in Havelock North. The festival organisers, Doris and Urs Blum, have again prepared a cinematic smorgasbord to delight film enthusiasts under the stars: from the Nature movie African Cats and the NZ comedy Sione's 2: Unfinished Business to the latest insight into the lives and the musical journey of the Rolling Stones: Crossfire Hurricane, there is plenty of variety to more than satisfy a broad range of film appetites.

The season will run over nine nights from December 27th to 30th and from January 02nd to 6th. “We have selected the programme carefully”, says Doris Blum. “Each film is a gem of its genre.” Amongst the other films shown are:

The HB stopover and HB Premiere of The 11/12 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, showcasing short movies of adventure sports and cultural expeditions and exchanges.

Life of Brian. Everyone knows the story of the child born to Maria in a faraway land. Well, this isn't that story. This is the king-sized comedy from those wise men of all things silly. It's grubby and tasteless ... but if you 'always look on the bright side of life', then this is the movie you've been praying for.

The stellar cast of Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth team up in the business thriller Arbitrage. It follows a New York hedge fund magnate whose life and upper-class lifestyle threatens to collapse under the possible exposure of his trading tactics.

1968 was the year that changed the world. And for four young Aboriginal girls from a remote mission this is the year that would change their lives forever. The sisters, Cynthia, Gail, Julie and cousin Kay are discovered and are billed as Australia's answer to 'The Supremes'. Based on a true story, The Sapphires is a triumphant celebration of youthful emotion, family, love, loss and SOUL MUSIC.

We have finally been able to secure the definitive local road movie, Goodbye Pork Pie. It sees two kiwi blokes battling a whole range of wacky obstacles in their quest to get a stolen yellow mini from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

Also in the line up is the cult movie that made multiple storylines the coolest thing in cinema and anointed Quentin Tarantino as the crown prince of hip dialogue. John Travolta revived his flagging career and reminded the world that he can still cut a rug with the best of them, while Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman found roles that established them as A-listers and defined their careers. Don't miss Pulp Fiction on the big screen.

“Hawke’s Bay is climatically and culturally perfectly suited for movies under the stars. The past eight seasons have proven extremely successful. Everybody loves the experience of watching movies on a big screen nestled in the picturesque vineyard setting of the amphitheatre”, Urs Blum, the event organiser, states. It has great acoustics, good sight lines, the best of technology installed [with a brand new screen and an even more powerful projector], and offers views to die for. Moviegoers can relax on grassed terraces, listen to pre-movie music, sip a glass of wine with friends, enjoy a nibble from the onsite caterers or bring their own picnic, and watch the sun set over Hawke’s Bay. It is the ultimate outdoor experience: great films, great sound, great food, and great company under the stars.”

Admission: adults $ 18 (pre-sales) $ 20 (gate) / $ 10 children (5-12 yrs)

The full programme, trailers, the print-your-own-ticket facility as well as movie and venue details are available on the Black Barn website (www.blackbarn.com). Other selected ticketing outlets are:

• Havelock North: Black Barn Vineyards, Black Barn Road, 06 877 79 85
• Havelock North: Dobsons Photo & Camera, Village Court, 06 877 89 89
• Hastings: Dobsons Photo & Camera, 318 Heretaunga St West, 06 878 54 24
• Napier: Dobsons Photo & Camera, 165 Hastings St, Napier, 06 835 94 30

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