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Hero image for Snows of Aorangi

Snows of Aorangi

Short Film (Full Length) – 1955

Shot by photographer Brian Brake as a NFU tourism promo, Snows of Aorangi surveys New Zealand's mountain landscapes. Brake captures stunning imagery: ethereal ice forests, lightning storms, volcanic craters, glaciers, avalanches, kea. Three skiers are mesmerising as they scythe downhill from Almer Hut: "for a little while they've given themselves to the rhythm of sky and earth" runs the James K Baxter-scripted narration. It was the first NZ film to compete for an Oscar, nominated in the Best Short Subject (Live Action) category in 1959.

Key Cast & Crew

See all 11 credits

Acknowledgements

ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND REFERENCE – AAPG W3606/1135
Source format – 16mm motion picture film

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