Make no bones about it, Americans have been getting as excited about Peter Jackson filming a movie in their own backyard as Kiwis did when he made The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. In scenes reminiscent of the intense interest surrounding his fantasy trilogy, during the past week curious locals in the small rural towns of Malvern and Willistown, in Pennsylvania, have gathered to get a peek at filming of Jackson’s $US80 million ($NZ104 million) The Lovely Bones.
Pennyslvania newspapers The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News have covered filming, taking photographs of Jackson with Kiwi actress Rose McIver, despite tight security on the closed set. And as with The Lord of the Rings, some fans have also been posting blogs and photographs online of Jackson at locations for the film.
Ian Brodie’s latest book ‘A Journey through New Zealand Film’ landed on my doorstep earlier this week, thanks to author Kristen Thompson. The book is filled with stunning images from all over New Zealand, and gives the reader an insider look into some of the films shot there. From harpercollins.co.nz: ‘For a long time, New Zealand film was off the beaten track — unfamiliar, charting new territory and out there. Now our rich and varied landscape, and the skill of our filmmakers, is celebrated worldwide, in The Piano, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, King Kong, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Whale Rider, The Last Samurai, River Queen and The World’s Fastest Indian. Ian Brodie, author of the internationally bestselling Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook and Cameras in Narnia, is the perfect guide to the locations and landscapes which have inspired filmmakers over the past twenty-five years. With stunning photographs, detailed location descriptions, and comments from directors, cast and crew, he has put together a fascinating tour of New Zealand for movie-lovers and visitors alike. Along with a chronology of feature films made in New Zealand and the awards they have won, he paints a superb portrait of location New Zealand.’