Illustrious Energy

The topic of this film, Chinese miners in 1860s Otago, is rather obscure so it was quite interesting to see that there was a film about this topic. It was especially interesting to me because some of my ancestors were in fact in this position. It shows these lives in quite a lot of detail and is at times heartbreaking. I do feel that it dragged on at times though.

I recently got to see this movie at the Roxy cinema, re-released after the prints were found again in London. I think the it is rightly called the best NZ film no-one has ever seen. Apparently it had only a short run in 1987 and has only been seen occasionally since then.

I highly recommend this movie. It is beautiful and touching. It shows a an often overlooked minority people in NZ and a small part of their history in NZ with dignity. And we are reminded that these early Chinese immigrants came to NZ expecting so little, but willing to give so much and work hard just to earn something to improve the lives of their families back home.

This little heard of film, is a stunning achievement in cinema. It is a brilliant, yet honest, look at the hardship of Chinese gold miners in New Zealand in the late 19th century and the racism they faced. The direction of Leon Narbey is controlled and ordered, the cinematography is stunning, the script historically genuine and well constructed. The score is one of the better in movies of its time. The acting the leads, especially Shaun Bao, is understated and atmospheric.

So why, if this movie is so good, has it not been so well known? Basically, the topic was not commercially successful so only film lovers and critics have seen it. Unfortunately, the reality is that a film about Chinese immigrants and racism does not sell. If it had been about Maori (indigenous New Zealanders) or an American film about the treatment of Blacks, it would have received considerably more coverage and critical acclaim.

Quite clearly, this film was 15 years before its time and only now in 2003 are New Zealand films showing the same quality - such as Whale Rider. (Interestingly, the director Leon Narbey for this movie, is the cinematographer for Whale Rider. Coincidence? I think not.)

A movie of genius and art. A must see.

This film has affected me like no others, it felt like a true depiction of a forgotten episode of New Zealand's history. I'm no historian so I don't know how accurate the story is, but what a bittersweet movie it is. Is today more rascist or the one in this movie being set in a Chinese mining camp in Otago in the late 1800's? The beauty though pervades in the central Chinese characters attitudes and philosophy.

One of my favourite New Zealand movies.