erewhon - a large property in the heart of rural south island
but also the title of a book written by one samuel butler in 1872
and here the motivation for this film from director gavin hipkins
one of nz's most successful photographers now pushing the horizon
the writeup in the nziff program reading as a quite compelling film
based on a 'lively utopian satire' and the film a 'moving picture essay'
in brief butler had worked on an isolated south island sheep station
obviously he had a fertile imagination and a capacity as an author
he invented a race of people - 'erewhonians' that had certain ideals
connected to nature, vegetarian, eschewing any kind of machine
the opening scene of a bulldozer working a piece of cleared land
no voiceover, no music - just a wide shot of machine at work
an immediate impression that this is going to be a visual treat
then the voice of actor mia blake starts the read of the book
the first surprise - a female voice used for author samuel butler
setting the tone for the rest of the film - conventions are sidelined
so settling in for a real adventure with more wonderful nature footage
immediately bringing comparisons to other amazing travelogue films
baraka, samsara and godfrey reggio qaatsi series coming to mind
but here the point of difference being the narrative of the book
initially a tale of a journey up a river not previously discovered
then up the mountain range, across and descending to a paradise
clear imagery of the southern alps and the west coast filling our eyes
i'm hooked - every frame of every scene making for rivetting viewing
but it's not all nature, words and beauty - we jump into the unknown
some quite beguiling graphics and backing music at regular intervals
matching the mood of the reading of the book - butler a visionary
his fear of the effects of the industrial revolution a stark contrast
the film then giving some attention to rusted and derelict machinery
other throbbling machines also shown in the relentless energy plunder
director gavin hipkins drawing on butlers fears to provide modern visuals
but then another shift - footage of monkeys and scenery clearly not nz
suggesting that the world in butler's mind is not rooted to a physical place
and words from the book indicating the same of the erewhonelian people
final scenes of a scyscraper fronted beach on the gold coast of australia
matching the words from the book predicting constant future travel
what a stunning film - and not just a visual treat - narrative as well
i love the aforementioned travelogues but this has an added dimension
with the inspiration and the clear respect of the book uppermost
and a wonderful surprise after the film's credits have rolled
director gavin hipkins is in the house - q&a time
a small but appreciative audience lauding him
and an opportunity for me to thank him also
that's 3 extraordinary nz films in a row
and each with directors in attendance
happy, happy, happy...
