SolarCity Summer Movies

SolarCity Summer Movies

Experience the nostalgia of some significant but almost forgotten movies on the flickering screen in the great outdoors – SolarCity Summer Movies are coming to a park near you with the unique experience of old movies screened in the great outdoors.

Nelson City Council event coordinator Antony Hodgson says it’s a simple formula that has proved a winner in Nelson, with outdoor movies now in their 17th year.

“I think the simplicity is a big part of the appeal - it’s a low key event, where people can just spread out their blankets and relax as night falls and the movie begins,” he says. “The community feel of a shared experience is part of the attraction, and that goes with a fair bit of audience response such as booing at the villain and cheering the heroes.”

Summer Movies this year will be screened on a new brighter projector. For those who understand techie details it’s a 7000 ANSI Lumens High Definition Projector.

“For the rest of us it means a brighter image that will allow us to start the movies before it’s completely dark, which will be great for younger children,” Antony says. “We’ll be aiming to start all of the movies bang on 9pm, so we’re advising people to come early to have a picnic, listen to some fine Kiwi music and play giant board games including chess, snakes and ladders, draughts, noughts and crosses, quoits and a giant version of mancala, a 'count and capture' board game that started in Africa and theMiddle East.”

There are some new regional venues for movies this year, and the Tasman District Council has worked with the Nelson City Council festivals’ team and with community groups to make the movies part of what’s happening locally. The St Arnaud screening is in conjunction with Festival Nelson Lakes, a weekend of events and activities; the Wakefield School PTA is fundraising for a playground development; the Moutere Hills Community Centre is raising funds for renovations, and in Tapawera the sport and recreation group is fundraising to provide activities for local young people. Movies will also be screened for the first time in Blenheim.

This year’s movies are The Five Pennies with Danny Kaye, National Velvet starring the young Liz Taylor, The Misfits with Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable and SilentAntics – a medley of silent clips with Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and more.

Antony says he wants to get the word out to the deaf community about Silent Antics: “All of these short films use the technique of placing text screens in between the action to provide the information needed to follow the storyline making them accessible to hearing impaired people,” he says. “Even for children who can’t read yet there’s plenty of action to keep up their interest.”

SolarCity Summer Movies run from Wednesday 4 - Monday 30 January, 9pm - 11pm (movie starts at dusk) Cost: $2 adult, $1 child. Pack a picnic (BYO welcome), bring a rug or your couch,wear warm clothes or pyjamas and pocket a torch to light your way home.

Movie will not screen if it’s raining, if the weather is doubtful please check ‘Summer In Nelson’ on Facebook and ‘like’ us for updates. Or call 022 130 2329 to hear our weather message updated after 7pm.

Full details in Summer in Nelson programme or online at www.nelsonfestivals.co.nz

Summer in Nelson events are presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors.

Movie details:

The Five Pennies (1959) 2hrs. PG

This semi-biographical musical film of the brilliant cornet player and band leader Red Nichols stars Danny Kaye, supported by a great cast, including Louis Armstrong. A really enjoyable film filled with the irresistible sound of Dixieland Jazz.

National Velvet (1944) 2hrs. G

Young Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor) is determined to train a wild horse to race for England’s Grand National Sweepstakes. Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) uses his contacts to get her clearance to enter the race. Much drama ensues. This is the film that really catapulted the 12 year old Elizabeth Taylor to stardom.

The Misfits (1961) 2 hrs. PG

Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift in this Arthur Miller scripted film set in early sixties Nevada. This was both Clark Gable and Marilyn’s final film appearance, with as much drama off camera as on. Marilyn shows what an incredible actor she really was, with an honest and gutsy performance that will surprise you in this edgy film.

Silent Antics 90mins. PG

An evening of film from the Silent Era, filled with the crazy antics of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy and more. Come and see the famous scenes and stunts from the early days of movie making, where they definitely put safety LAST!

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