The Colonel's Outing will have its New Zealand premiere at the Rialto in Auckland next month. The Number 8 Films short, which is being described internationally as “the best film about men in love out of New Zealand since Lord of the Rings” will show at Rialto on Thursday 14 July 14 as part of its Film Talk series, which is supported by the Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand. The Colonel’s Outing, which tells the story of two World War II veterans who find love together in a rest home under the watchful eye of an interfering Matron, has captured hearts and acclaim at festivals around the globe since its world premiere in Miami in April. It’s the third short film to be produced by charitable arts trust Number 8 Films, formed by producer Andy Jalfon and director Christopher Banks in 2009. Their previous two shorts, Teddy and Communication, have won multiple awards, achieved international distribution as well as DVD releases, a rare achievement for short films. “The film has been programmed in over twenty festivals so far in a few short months, including some major screenings in Toronto, San Francisco, and Italy where we won a special jury mention,” says producer Andy Jalfon. “We’re really grateful to the support of the Rialto Cinemas in assisting us to bring our film home for local audiences to enjoy as part of their Film Talk series in July.” The road from script to screen was not an easy one, with The Colonel’s Outing being rejected for funding by several local film funding bodies before the Mental Health Foundation’s Out Of The Blue programme came on board with a grant which allowed the film to be made. The remainder of the film’s funds were raised through some corporate donations, and a crowdfunding appeal over the internet. “We rarely see stories where older people are put front and centre as the heroes on film, let alone older gay men,” says director Christopher Banks. “The Mental Health Foundation had the vision to support a story about positive aging and inclusion which audiences worldwide have found entertaining and moving, and we’ve been chomping at the bit to get it seen locally.” The Colonel’s Outing was shot in Auckland and weaves famous locales such as One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park and Alberton into the fabric of the story. “This is unashamedly a New Zealand story, with a very strong sense of place. These are characters and landscapes you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the world, and international audiences have really responded to this slice of Kiwi life that they wouldn’t normally get to see,” Banks says. In addition to the film itself, the 70-minute premiere event will contain behind-the-scenes clips from the making of The Colonel’s Outing interspersed with a cast and filmmakers Q
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 18th June 2011 - 2:33pm