Forgotten Silver (1995) is a New Zealand film mockumentary that purports to tell the story of a pioneering New Zealand filmmaker. It was written and directed by Costa Botes and Peter Jackson, both of whom appear in the film in their roles as makers of the documentary. Costa Botes is a writer, director, and cinematographer. ... For other persons named Peter Jackson, see Peter Jackson (disambiguation). ... Costa Botes is a writer, director, and cinematographer. ... For other persons named Peter Jackson, see Peter Jackson (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Peter Jackson, see Peter Jackson (disambiguation). ... Costa Botes is a writer, director, and cinematographer. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The year 1995 in film involved some significant events. ... New Zealand cinema refers to films made by New Zealand-based production companies in New Zealand. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Costa Botes is a writer, director, and cinematographer. ... For other persons named Peter Jackson, see Peter Jackson (disambiguation). ...

[edit] Synopsis

Forgotten Silver purports to tell the story of 'forgotten' New Zealand filmmaker Colin McKenzie, and the rediscovery of his lost films, which presenter Peter Jackson claims to have found in an old shed. McKenzie is presented as the first and greatest innovator of modern cinema, single-handedly inventing the tracking shot (by accident), the close-up (unintentionally), and both sound and color film years before their historically documented creation. The film also shows fragments of an epic Biblical film supposedly made by McKenzie in a giant set in the forests of New Zealand, and a 'computer enhancement' of a McKenzie film providing clear evidence that New Zealander Richard Pearse was the first man to invent a powered aircraft, several months prior to the Wright Brothers. Richard Pearse Richard William Pearse (3 December 1877 — 29 July 1953), a New Zealand farmer and inventor, performed pioneering experiments in aviation. ... The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871–January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867–May 30, 1912), were two Americans generally credited with building the worlds first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and heavier-than-air human flight on December 17, 1903. ...

The film also shows a (staged) premiere screening of a recovered McKenzie film presented by film promoter Lindsay Shelton. It features deadpan commentary from actor/director Sam Neill and director and film archivist John O'Shea, as well as critical praise from international industry notables including film historian Leonard Maltin, and Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films. Sam Neill (born Nigel John Dermot Neill), DCNZM, OBE (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand-Australian film and television actor, and owner of the Two Paddocks winery in Central Otago. ... John OShea (1920 - July 8, 2001) is a New Zealand independent filmaker . ... Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ... Harvey Weinstein at Cannes, 2002 Harvey Weinstein CBE (Hon) (born March 19, 1952) is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. ... Miramax Films is a film production and distribution brand that was a Big Ten film motion picture distribution and production company headquartered in New York City before being bought out by The Walt Disney Company. ...

In reality, McKenzie is a fictional character, and the films featured in Forgotten Silver were all created by Peter Jackson, carefully mimicking the style of early cinema. The interviewees are all acting. Thomas Robins, the actor who portrays Colin MacKenzie, is today more easily recognized by audiences as Sméagol's fated companion Déagol in Peter Jackson's The Return of the King. Motion pictures developed gradually from a carnival novelty to one of the most important tools of communication and entertainment, and mass media in the 20th century. ...

[edit] Production

Costa Botes directed the 'documentary' portions while Peter Jackson created the 'archive footage' supposedly filmed by McKenzie. Jackson also shot fake interviews in Los Angeles, including the one with Weinstein. Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ...

[edit] Reception

The film was first aired on Television New Zealand's channel TV ONE in a time slot usually dedicated to plays and mini-series, but was billed and introduced as a serious documentary. A large proportion of the TV audience were fooled until the directors shortly afterward revealed that it was a hoax. The airing proved extremely controversial.^[1][2] The TVNZ Television Centre in Central Auckland. ... TV One (usually referred to as One, sometimes as TV1 or TVNZ One, or by its former name Channel One) is a New Zealand national television network owned and operated by state-owned media company TVNZ. It is targeted at an older audience, compared to other major television channels in... For other uses, see Play (disambiguation). ... A miniseries, in a serial storytelling medium, is a production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. ...

The film was subsequently screened at a number of film festivals. A film festival is the presentation or showcasing of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues. ...

[edit] Cast

• Peter Jackson
• Johnny Morris
• Costa Botes
• Harvey Weinstein
• Leonard Maltin
• Sam Neill
• Marguerite Hurst
• John O'Shea
• Lindsay Shelton
• Beatrice Ashton
• Peter Corrigan
• Sarah McLeod
• Thomas Robins
• Davina Whitehouse

For other persons named Peter Jackson, see Peter Jackson (disambiguation). ... Johnny Morris OBE (20 June 1916 - 6 May 1999) was a childrens television presenter for the BBC. A farmer by trade, he was discovered telling stories in a pub. ... Costa Botes is a writer, director, and cinematographer. ... Harvey Weinstein at Cannes, 2002 Harvey Weinstein CBE (Hon) (born March 19, 1952) is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. ... Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ... Sam Neill (born Nigel John Dermot Neill), DCNZM, OBE (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand-Australian film and television actor, and owner of the Two Paddocks winery in Central Otago. ... John OShea (1920 - July 8, 2001) is a New Zealand independent filmaker . ... For Australian singer, see Sarah McLeod (Superjesus). ... Davina Whitehouse, OBE (16 December 1912 - 25 December 2002) was a stage, film and television actress acclaimed in both her native UK as well as Australasia. ...

[edit] External links

• Forgotten Silver at the Internet Movie Database

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ...

[edit] References

1. ^ Observations on film art and Film Art. David Bordwell. Retrieved on 2007-3-27.
2. ^ Hight, Craig. Forgotten Silver. Mock-documentary: the subversion of factuality. Screen and Media Studies Department, University of Waikato, New Zealand. Retrieved on 2007-3-27. Derived from Roscoe, Jane; Craig Hight (2001). Faking It: Mock-documentary and the subversion of factuality. Manchester, U.K.: Manchester University Press. ISBN 0-7190-5641-1.