Abstract
The aim of this project is to examine Stanhope Andrews’ role as Producer and founder of the New Zealand National Film Unit (NFU) and trace the historical foundations of how the film unit was established in 1941. Andrews’ role at the NFU is significant as he oversaw the expansion of the government film unit by developing the Weekly Review series and followed a Griersonian approach to filmmaking. He was interested in creating a documentary film industry in New Zealand with the aim to educate New Zealanders in a modern democracy, due to the influence of John Grierson. Grierson’s method of documentary filmmaking focused on how films can explore the social and educational circumstances of the people and the State. To Grierson, documentary films can expand on the creative treatment of actuality to interpret the modern world and the government’s solutions through political and economic influences.
The basis of the films made by the NFU was developed in the context of promoting New Zealand’s war effort domestically and nation-building during peacetime. The NFU’s films also had to be approved by the Prime Minister’s Office, resulting in the Labour Government impacting on how the NFU could operate. When elected in 1935, the first Labour Government believed that films and radio could be utilized to reach like-minded New Zealanders and it was a way they could present emerging social policies to the public. In this context, one of my goals is to highlight how the Labour Government inflicted constraints on the NFU. My other goal is to examine how Grierson’s visit in 1940 was influential to Andrews, which was instrumental in the formation of revising the government film unit. By observing Andrews’ role as Producer, it will expand our knowledge of New Zealand’s early film history and contribute to a better understanding of how the NFU was established.