NZ On Screen - Top 10 For January 2010

TOP 10 FOR JANUARY 2010

Summer in Aotearoa isn't typically prime time for browsing screen gems online (unless you've been in Wellington!), but as most of us are back to the grind, here's NZ On Screen's Jan Top Ten for your NZ telly and film distraction.

Over the Christmas break NZ On Screen posted 2005 C4 music interview series Homegrown Profiles [http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/homegrown-profiles-2005/series](6 x 60min episodes) in full (the Finn bros episode includes plenty of classic footage of the troubadours from Te Awamutu). On January 29th, six years since her passing, we launched a Janet Frame collection [http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/the-janet-frame-collection], celebrating her life and work as seen on screen. Vincent Ward's award-winning 1978 short A State of Siege is available in full as well as a rare 1975 TV interview with Frame by Michael Noonan.

1. Love, Speed and Loss

[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/love-speed-and-loss-2007]

Television, 2005, Full Length

This award-winning documentary, about champion motorcyclist Kim Newcombe (who turned heads in the 70s on a König motorbike he developed and designed himself before being tragically killed racing) has proved an instant hit with international bike racing fans.

2. Britten Backyard Visionary

[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/britten-backyard-visionary-1993]

Television, 1993, Full Length

More motorhead pleasing magic: this doco on 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.

3. Miles and Shelly Go Flatting

[ http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/miles-and-shelly-go-flatting-1993]

Television, 1993, Excerpts

The passing of its subject Michelle Belesarius (known here as Shelley West) has seen this excerpt from the controversial 1993 documentary attract viewers. The film follows two young people with significant disabilities as they face challenges flatting together.

4. The Vintner's Luck

[http://wwwnzonscreen.com/title/the-vintners-luck-2009]

Film, 2009, Trailer, Excerpts and Extras

Global fans of French actor Gaspard Ulliel have been checking out the 'behind the scenes' interviews featured as part of the material on site for directors Niki Caro's Vintner's Luck. Gaspard plays angel Xas in the adaptation of Elizabeth Knox's bestselling novel.

5. Sierra Leone [http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/sierra-leone-1983]

Music Video, 1983

The music video for the synth-pop song 1983 hit was one of the first Kiwi videos to use special effects. It's a little overblown, but so were the lyrics ("so cold in the desert tonight ..."), and the Afro-art house imagery and new romantic silliness all works a charm.

6. Flare - A Ski Trip

[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/flare---a-ski-trip-1977]

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); retro features include some fine 70s beards, sunnies and jumpsuits.

7. Gloss

[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/gloss-1987]

Television, 1987, Full Length Episode

More way-we-were fascination (it would be a stretch to call it nostalgia!) continues to drive punters to the 80s classic. Yuppies, shoulder-pads and methode champenoise abound ... "Here we come and we are sailing" (as the infamous America's Cup campaign song warbled).

8. Kaikohe Demolition

[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/kaikohe-demolition-2004]

Film, 2004, Full Length

The far out meets the Far North in director Florian Habicht's 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. In full.

9 Homegrown Profiles: Shihad

[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/homegrown-profiles-shihad-2005]

Television, 2005, Full Length

They're opening for AC/DC on their current tour and hard rock heroes Shihad have provided a guitar-driven soundtrack for a car-surfing, black jeans-garbed generation since 1988. This episode of C4 series Homegrown Profiles looks at their long career.

10 . The Best of the Billy T James Collection

[ http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-best-of-billy-t-james-collection-1992]

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.

ENDS

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