A vision that commands respect

TEAM LEADER: Alun Bollinger

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An acclaimed figure in New Zealand film-making is to visit Nelson and Golden Bay this weekend, coinciding with local screenings of a documentary about him.

Cinematographer Alun Bollinger will take part in question-and-answer sessions following the screenings of the new film, at the Suter Cinema in Nelson, the Gecko in Motueka, and Takaka's Village Theatre.

Bollinger has been described by Peter Jackson as "quite simply the finest cinematographer the country has produced". He has had a lifetime of working on some of the best-known New Zealand-made movies, including Goodbye Pork Pie, Vigil, Heavenly Creatures and River Queen.

But in contrast to his profile in the film industry, he lives a quiet life with wife, Helen, and their family in the tiny community of Blacks Point, near Reefton.

He is also known for preferring to go barefoot, and the documentary is called Barefoot Cinema. It was made by Gerard Smyth, who has worked alongside Bollinger in the film business.

Barefoot Cinema traces Bollinger's earliest years behind the camera, including filming news events such as United States President Lyndon Johnson's visit to New Zealand in 1966, and traces his role in helping to develop the country's modern film industry. It features heavyweights of New Zealand film, including Jackson, Sam Neill, Vincent Ward, Geoff Murphy and Gaylene Preston.

"He is regarded as a leader of New Zealand crews, who are internationally known for their innovations and for their skills as team players," Smyth said. "And the really telling part of making this film was that New Zealand's top directors all wanted to participate and tell of their gratitude to their team leader."

Alun and Helen Bollinger will be attending this weekend's screenings, along with Smyth, and taking part in the question-and-answer sessions.

• The Suter screening is on Saturday at 7.30pm and will be preceded by a wine and cheese event. The Motueka screening will be on Sunday at 1.30pm, and the Takaka screening at 5pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News