Stars shine despite downpour (+pics)
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It was a sodden red carpet on New Plymouth's main street, but the unrelenting rain failed to dampen the spirits of those gathered for the Show Of Hands premiere.
The city played host to the New Zealand premiere of the made-in-Taranaki feature and Hollywood and Kiwi film stars rubbed shoulders with locals who played extras, invited guests and plenty who just wanted to have a glamorous night out as well as check out the flick.
The star attraction was of course New Plymouth-born Hollywood actor Melanie Lynskey who, like other A-listers, arrived at the TSB Showplace in a shiny new Land-Rover.
While the rain meant there was just a hardy crowd of about 20 lining the red carpet, Lynskey, who arrived with family, drew a big cheer.
The Los Angeles-based actor happily stopped for photos and thanked people for making the effort to come out in such wet weather.
While the crowd outside might have been thin on the ground, it was a full house inside the showplace, with more than 400 people turning out to watch the film.
Along with Lynskey, co-star Craig Hall, producer Angela Littlejohn and director and writer Anthony McCarten, who also hails from Taranaki, industry insiders and locals all walked the red carpet past a group of drenched surf lifesavers.
The premiere was a charity fundraiser for Surf Life Saving Taranaki and dressed in their stand-out red and yellow outfits the group were on hand to offer the welcome cover of umbrellas.
Lynskey and Hall at least made 13-year-old Hayley Duckett's night, when the pair both posed for a photo with her.
Hayley said her sister played a part in the movie so the family had decided to check out what a film premiere event was all about and she was thrilled to get the snaps.
Film Venture Taranaki project manager Peter Avery said it was shame more people didn't take the opportunity to come and soak up the red carpet atmosphere.
"But still it's great to have this night. To see all the people who have been involved and to see people who have come to see the movie," said Avery.
"I think the story will resonate with people, it's a nice story with a message."
McCarten said it was great to see the film premiere on his home turf.
"Really I'm overjoyed to be here. Locals really made this film and it's great to see such a good turnout here, it's quite a homecoming," said McCarten.
He said it was quite apt that the premiere was screening at the Showplace, a venue he had fond childhood memories of when it was the Opera House.
Before the film screened, Littlejohn and McCarten welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone from New Plymouth for stepping up and welcoming the film crew during their time filming in the city last year.
"You guys in New Plymouth have been great in everything you have done. We are so going to come back here," said Littlejohn to a cheer.
Show Of Hands is an offbeat love story centred on a competition where people try to keep their hands on a car for longer than anyone else to win it.
The film opens to the public next week.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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