NZ On Screen Top 10 for September

In September NZ On Screen celebrated the arrival of spring with the launch of a Sheep collection. The collection features 14 titles celebrating and sometimes making fun of Kiwis and our ovine kin, and despite the fact that the national flock has dwindled in recent years (under 40 million at last count) it has proven woolly popular.

Many Sir Howard Morrison titles were watched in the wake of his passing, as visitors remembered the iconic Kiwi performer known simply as ‘Mr Entertainment’. The most visited was a This is Your Life tribute from 1989.
Rounding out the September Top 10 is a mix of consistent favourites (Flare, Britten, Billy T, Snell ) and the surprising debut of a community-produced doco on M.E. that has connected with 'brain fog' sufferers worldwide.

SEPTEMBER TOP 10

This month the ScreenTalk section expanded to include Forums. Come along and be part of the discussion - talk about favourites, request titles or interviews, find out what's coming and make a suggestion. We'd love to hear from you!

This Is Your Life - Sir Howard Morrison
Television, 1989, Full Length
The late, great Howard Morrison has an emotional reunion with showbiz friends and whānau in this This is Your Life. Bob Parker consults his big red book to revisit career milestones, and a roll call of NZ entertainment history pays tribute to ‘Ol’ Brown Eyes’.

Flare - A Ski Trip
Short Film, 1977, Full Length
70s freestyle skiers perform a 'ski ballet' at Mount Hutt, Queenstown and Ruapehu. This documentary was directed by one Sam Neill (who would shortly achieve fame as an actor) and has shot up the charts this month courtesy of a thumbs up on stumbleupon.com.

Heavenly Pop Hits - The Flying Nun Story
Television, 2002, Full Length
The story of the legendary Flying Nun music label up to its 21st birthday. Features interviews with key players, the spats and the dark-but-breezy glory. The Guardian: "[it's] as if being on the other side of the world meant the music was played upside down".

The Best of the Billy T James Collection
Television, 1992, Full Length
Billy T’s unique brand of humour is captured here at its affable, non-PC best in this compilation of skits from his popular 80s TV shows. There’s Te News with Billy in iconic black singlet and yellow towel; the first contact skits, Turangi Vice, and classic ad spoofs.

Moa's Ark
Television series, 1990, Full Length
Renowned naturalist David Bellamy, with his impassioned enthusiasm (and famous lisp) explores all-things-natural New Zealand in this four part series. Appropriately charting as Bellamy returns down under for the 25th anniversary of the conservation of Whirinaki Forest.

Woolly Valley
Television series, 1981, Full Length
The magpie quardle oodled and the narration declared: “Welcome to Woolly Valley” in the intro to this children’s TV classic recently uploaded to the site. The low-tech puppet show with the rustic charm was familiar to a generation of kids who grew up in the 80s. A popular favourite from the Sheep collection.

Britten Backyard Visionary
Television, 1993, Full Length
Maverick motorcycle designer John Britten (described by Guggenheim curator Ultan Guilfoyle as "the New Zealander who stood the world of racing-motorcycle design on its head") continues to inspire international motorcycle communities, from Slovenia to Ireland.

Open Door - M.E.
Television, 2008, Full Length
Open Door is a unique form of community-based television that allows people to apply to make a documentary on a relevant issue. This 'M.E'. episode looks at people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and has hooked into a global network of people affected.

Peter Snell - Athlete
Archival Short Film, 1964, Full Length
This superbly shot doco tells Peter Snell's story up to his double-gold triumph at the Tokyo Olympics. A must watch for NZ sports fans, it charts on the back of Snell’s visit to NZ to unveil a statue on the site of his 1962 world record mile triumph: Cook’s Garden, Whanganui.

Kaikohe Demolition
Film, 2004, Full Length
The far out meets the Far North in director Florian Habicht's doco tribute to a community of characters drawn together by a desire to demolition derby. Behind the bangs, prangs, and blow-ups, the heart and soul of a small town - Kaikohe - is laid bare.

Talk to Us!
If you want to comment on anything relating to our September Top 10, or anything else concerning NZ On Screen or the screen industry, you can now do so. This month the ScreenTalk section expanded to include Forums. Come along and be part of the discussion - talk about favourites, request titles or interviews, find out what's coming and make a suggestion. We'd love to hear from you!

ENDS

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