Durham University doctoral student Danielle Smith is undertaking an ESRC- funded project into the experiences of tourists to mythical and fantastic locations, through two case studies- the landscapes of New Zealand/ Middle Earth, and Arthurian sites in the South West of Britain. Through working with tourists at these sites, she hopes to illuminate how locations from fiction or legend are important to us, and the ways in which we experience these landscapes. What does it feel like to ‘re-live the magic’ of your favourite scenes, or to ‘walk in the footsteps’ of mythical heroes? Danielle has a research website, at www.durham.ac.uk/d.e.smith, with further information on the project. She is also currently looking for individuals who have been influenced to visit New Zealand by the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, whether on a specific themed tour, or independently, visiting some of the locations as part of a broader itinerary. Please contact her by e-mail at d.e.smith@durham.ac.uk
Category: New Zealand
AUCKLAND Two of the biggest fantasy films of the year were made in a small land of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, Hollywood has invaded New Zealand again – but it turns out not all the locals are happy about that. As mean-spirited as it may seem with the recent release of “King Kong” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” two blockbuster movies mostly made in New Zealand, there are some film industry insiders in this country who don’t like giant apes, witches or magical lions at all. In fact, at their least generous, these insiders wish the mythical creatures had never come to this small Pacific Rim nation. It has the rest of New Zealand’s inhabitants, who generally take great pride in the achievements of movies like the award-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, wondering why. [More]
Helen writes: A magazine I was reading recently had a one line mention of the LOTR exhibition coming back for another showing at Te Papa, Wellington NZ, next year. I hadn’t heard about that happening so I emailed Te Papa and asked for confirmation. I thought some of your readers might be interested in their reply – the relevant parts are below:
“Thank you for your e mail requesting information about the Lord of the Rings exhibition. I am pleased to advise you that the Lord of the Rings exhibition will open at Te Papa on Good Friday 14th April and closes on 20th August 2006. May I suggest that you visit our website which is up dated on a regular basis and will feature more details about the exhibition when they are to hand.
I do hope you find this information helpful.”
Moira-Antoinette Low
Information Officer
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
tepapa.govt.nz
It’s a snowbound land, full of mythical creatures, that is entered through the back of a wardrobe. But for New Zealand, Narnia is a lot more than just the setting for a new Hollywood movie. It’s the chance to generate another big series of movies to follow the phenomenon that was The Lord of the Rings. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, based on a classic children’s novel by C. S. Lewis, has been made by the director Andrew Adamson (who also made Shrek and Shrek 2) on a reported budget of $US150 million ($200 million). It centres on four children who accidently enter Narnia then join a battle between an evil witch and a god-like lion. [More]
April Orcutt writes: In New Zealand, place names drip from J.R.R. Tolkien’s fountain pen — Elfin Bay, Lake Truth, Mount Aspiring, Demon Trail, The Tower — and “Lord-of-the-Rings” fans pilgrimage to sets for Middle-Earth. But the fans don’t know what I know: Hobbits really do live in New Zealand. And they saved my life. [More]
Bruce Hopkins aka Gamling the Old pointed out that since both he and Bernard Hill will be at the Fellowship Festival in London later this month, this would be a rare opportunity to see both of them actng together. Rumours are that some lucky fans may get to be involved in some interactive drama with them – but this is only a RUMOUR at this point. But if you want another reason to book a ticket to the Festival, just remember – every ticket purchased enters you in the draw for a free trip to New Zealand to tour LOTR locations – courtesy of Red Carpet Tours.