The Muppets Movie - Square Eyes preview, Wellington

MEDIA RELEASE: WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER, 2011

Square Eyes - New Zealand Children's Film Foundation to Present 'The Muppets' Preview in Wellington

Be the very first to see Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal and the rest of the gang reunite at the Embassy Theatre, with Square Eyes - New Zealand Children's Film Foundation; an organisation dedicated to enriching the filmic experience of children in New Zealand by making quality and diverse cinema accessible.

Thanks to the generous support of The Walt Disney Company New Zealand, and the Embassy Theatre, Square Eyes are delighted to present the very first screening of 'The Muppets' for a Wellington audience.

Starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and Chris Cooper, with signature celebrity cameos from the likes of Judd Hirsh, Mickey Rooney, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Leslie Feist, Alan Arkin and Kristen Schaal, Disney’s 'The Muppets' hits the big screen in the United States on November 23, Thanksgiving in that part of the world. New Zealand audiences will have to wait until the end of the year to see the new film; but those lucky enough to be in Wellington on Sunday 18 December can join Square Eyes at the Embassy Theatre at 2pm.

Bret McKenzie, (Flight of the Conchords), is music supervisor for 'The Muppets', and will be at this special preview screening to introduce the feature he worked on over the last year.

Bret became aligned with the film when James Bobin, who was a co-creator of the Flight of the Conchords’ HBO show, was lined up as 'The Muppets' director, and encouraged Bret to submit a demo. Bret wrote three original songs for the film, including 'Life's a Happy Song,' the films anthem and grand musical production number. Bret says "I wrote 'Life's a Happy Song' at home in Wellington and six months later they'd closed down Hollywood Boulevard to film all the Muppets singing and dancing to my song. It was an incredible experience."

“It was a very intimidating job because I have an enormous amount of respect for Jim Henson and his team." says Bret. "It was an honour to work on the film and I took the job very seriously, even when I was recording a grown man pretending to be a penguin."

Nic Marshall, founder and director of Square Eyes - New Zealand Children Film Foundation also has a connection with the Muppets; she's been working with the New York based Jim Henson Legacy for a number of years developing 'The Jim Henson Retrospectacle' for New Zealand presentation.

"We're beyond thrilled that The Walt Disney Company have allowed us this opportunity to present 'The Muppets' here in Wellington" says Nic.

Proceeds from this exclusive presentation will assist Square Eyes in the continued development of 'The Jim Henson Retrospectacle' - a film series, exhibition and musical event celebrating the work and life of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, and one of the world's most inspired and innovative film and puppetry artists. Jim's untimely passing in May 1990 was met with a worldwide outpouring of love and renewed appreciation of his imagination and artistry.

Nic states "This new direction for the Muppets is a wonderful chance for a whole new generation to connect with these brilliant characters. Once they've seen this new Muppet film they'll no doubt want to explore and engage with the amazing amount of incredible Muppet history that Jim created with his family of collaborators."

THE MUPPETS: SQUARE EYES - NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN'S FILM FOUNDATION PREVIEW
Directed by James Bobin
110 minutes, G

Sunday 18 December, 2pm
Embassy Theatre

Children $15 & Adults $20
Tickets available at Embassy Theatre
10 Kent Terrace, Wellington

Proceeds from 'The Muppets' preview screening will directly support Square Eyes - New Zealand Children's Film Foundation as they work to enrich, engage, educate, enlighten, and entertain young audiences through film.

ENDS

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