ScreenTalk

Sad news today that actor/writer/director Martyn Sanderson has passed away. Martyn was a popular and respected member of the NZ screen industry, but also loved by TV viewers and movie-goers for his acting work, and his wonderful "everyman" quality.

A selection of Martyn's work is already on NZ On Screen, and there will be more coming.

One particular treat is Charlie Horse - a personal film diary by Martyn showing the breaking-in and training of a young colt in rural Hawke's Bay. This experimental film was offered to us by Martyn himself in February of this year. Our Rights Executive Kim Baker enjoyed her dealings with Martyn, and we were very pleased to secure Charlie Horse for the site.

Do view and enjoy Martyn's work on our site, and if you would like to leave your own written tributes feel free to do so below.

Dear Martyn, you quiet, gentle, giant of a man. I will always remember those special times of intensity shared over cups of tea.

Deep serious conversations that would go ever deeper, and deeper, then lapse into a silence.

And then, like a ray of sunshine, a wonderful ‘Martyn Moment’ would occur, as a twinkle in your eye and a twinkle in your smile would herald a dry and cryptic comment that lightened the mood, made us laugh and put the world in it’s place.

You were special to me then and special to me now, and you will always eptomise everything that is Wellington in my heart.

Safe journey

Take a look at Autumn Fires, a 1977 documentary directed by Barry Barclay and narrated/about Martyn.

From the synopsis: An old woman (Olive Bracey) recounts to her nephew (Martyn Sanderson) memories of her life in Hokianga. The film is a mix of personal return journey for Sanderson and an affectionate record of his spirited aunt (she's "the one who ate wheatgerm" in the family). The film mixes conversations, photos, and dramatisations of romantic letters. Sanderson rambles on the farm, picks mussels in bull kelp sandals, muses on industrial agriculture and on the "unambitious peaceful life". Directed by Barry Barclay, the elegiac film screened in TV1's Scene series.

Today (February 24) would have been the late actor/writer/director Martyn Sanderson's 72nd birthday. If you want to mark the day by looking at a selection of Martyn's work there are some excellent titles on NZ on Screen. As mentioned in previous entries here, Charlie Horse and  Autumn Fires are particularly interesting works. Martyn is very fondly remembered by the screen industry for his great work and for being a great gentleman.