Scoop Images: Wellywood Timewarp

Aro Street returned to the 1950s today, complete with shiny old gas-guzzlers, one gear bicycles, men in fedoras and women in summer frocks.

Modern day motorists in disposable Japanese cars were held up by a Gibson Group film crew with lollipop stop signs while appropriately attired actors, the authentic frontage of the Aro Street Bakery and classic cars created the illusion of mid twentieth century New Zealand for a three part German mini-series called Blonde Cargo.

Just out of camera shot, the Patel’s Mini Mart neon sign buzzed.

Line Producer Chris Tyson of The Gibson Group Ltd, the New Zealand production company, said Blonde Cargo was being made with German production company Hoffmann & Voges Entertainment GMBH for ZDF, a major German television network.

Ms Tyson said Blonde Cargo is the fictional story of three young German women looking for adventure in New Zealand, under this country’s immigration policy at the time.

Apart from the three German lead actresses, most of the actors and crew for the New Zealand scenes are New Zealanders, she said.

Ms Tyson said it was a great opportunity to show New Zealand to an international audience.

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