Shot by photographer Brian Brake as a National Film Unit 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 narration, which was written by poet James K Baxter. Snows of Aorangi was the first New Zealand film to compete for an Oscar, nominated in the Best Short Subject (Live Action) category in 1959.
ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND REFERENCE – AAPG W3606/1135
Source format – 16mm motion picture film
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