"Airport"

(Screening Tuesday, 2nd March)

Many would say this marked the beginning of a new era for the film industry in America, where all the ingredients for massive popularity are included. This era has not finished yet. It is still booming with films such as "Towering Inferno", "Jaws" and "Earthquake".

"Airport" is a 'wild night at the international airport with the runnways snowed up, a mad bomber loose on the Rome flight, and a little old lady stowaway dodging security checks.

"Adventures of Barry McKenzie"

(screening Wednesday, 3rd March)

The film that started the successful Australian film industry. A very appealing comedy that is perhaps funnier to New Zealanders more than to anyone else because we have an understanding of Aussies without identifying with them. The language is incredible, the stunts are amazing. Bazza and his mates put out a fire by urinating on it after drinking dozens of "chubes" of Fosters. He "chunders" on the head of his psychoanalyst.

It is all about Barry's visit to London and his brief whack at the recording industry. He travels with his Aunt (female impersonator Barry Humphries who also plays other roles in the film). The film stars Barry Crocker as "Bazza", Barry Humphries, Peter Cook, Spike Milligan and William Rushton.

It is worth seeing again even if it is just to catch up on the hundreds of witty pieces of dialogue: Like "she bangs like a shit-house door in a southerly gale."

Let It Be"

(Screening Thursday, 4th March)

A straight documentary on the Beatles as they informally rehearse some of their best songs. "The songs are smashing" (Sight and Sound). Anyone who is at all interested in the development of modern song should see this film for its revelations about the personalities of the men who have made the greatest impact on music since the fifties. To what extent were there discords and harmonies within the group? - See it first hand. Director: Michael Lindsay Hogg.

"The Pioneers"

— a colour feature film in Chinese (with English translation) screening in LB1 at 7.30pm, Thursday 4th March.

This film depicts how, in the early 60 s, Chinese oil workers led by the Chinese Communist Party fought against imperialism and social-imperialism. The battle manifests itself in the struggle between two political lines - the revisionist line calling for dependence on foreign "aid" to help develop a big oilfield, the other revolutionary line advocating development independently through self-reliance.

The film portrays revolutionary heroism and will, and shows the drive and power of the Chinese oil workers with their clear understanding of the revolutionary ideology of the Communist Party ("Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought") who are acutely aware of the class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. It is interesting to see this film at a time when China is becoming increasingly recognised as a major potential oil-producing country in the world.

Last Grave at Dimbaza

(Screening 12 noon and 1p.m., Friday 5th March).

The film "Last Grave at Dimbaza" is one which many Wellingtonians will see over the next few months.

It is being shown in many of the city's suburbs by the local Hart groups and it is designed to make people aware of the situation in South Africa today.

The film was illegally shot by black Africans in South Africa, and it portrays the grim reality of life for the blacks under apartheid

Perhaps the most graphic feature portrayed in the film is the sense of hopelessness and despair that Blacks feel when confronted by the inhumanity of the system of apartheid.