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12. 03. 10. - 11:45

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12. 03. 10. - 11:45

Real life World War II fairytale to hit the silver screen

A New Zealand film company is planning to turn the stirring story of how an Austrian family saved the life of a New Zealand World War II soldier into a movie.

Jonathon Rayner-Burt, the head of "Earthwire Productions" and producer of "Journey of a Story", spoke to the Austrian Times about the difficulties realising his dream project with a small budget.

Rayner-Burt said he had the idea during a period of reflection among his family after the passing of a family member.

"We were discussing family history and my mother-in-law mentioned her father’s time serving as a soldier in World War II. I was immediately convinced the experiences he made would make an interesting story to tell as a drama movie."

The 32-year-old father-of-one said research was difficult since George Parrish – who died in 1995 – hardly ever spoke about his wartime experiences.

"We read old family letters and written accounts to find out more about his personal situation, but also did a lot of research on the internet to learn about that time in general. Very little was discussed at that time. Some servicemen did not speak at all about their experiences.

"I’m not sure why that is. It might have to do with the fact that especially the farming people of New Zealand had little sympathy for the country’s involvement in war and for the occupation.

"Their life situation has changed immensely too. Children grew up without their fathers and the women picked up all the work tasks their husbands had to leave behind. They were forced to take on a different role and became more independent.

"Most men had to take on new jobs since the farming industry shrunk while they served in war. George Parrish became a builder, while William – the main character in ‘Journey of a Story’ – becomes a writer. He starts to write about his own life and it works as a catharsis for him."

Rayner-Burt said the film "Journey of a Story" – set for international release in 2011 – will mainly focus on the years 1938 to 1944.

"George Parish, the father of my mother-in-law Kay, might not have survived had he not been looked after by an Austrian family of farmers living in the Graz area. They hid him after he escaped a Nazi labour camp.

"We don’t have any names for the family, unfortunately, but me and my whole family are still grateful for what they did."

Austrian actor Lutz Halbhubner, a New Zealand resident and star of several acclaimed Austrian TV ads, was chosen to play the role of the Austrian family’s patriarch.

Producer Rayner-Burt said: "We cannot afford to shoot on location unfortunately since ‘Earthwire Productions’, my company, is a self-funded independent firm."

But he revealed: "We are currently trying to engage an Austrian company to shoot footage on location for us which we then can integrate in ‘Journey of a Story’ via special effects. We are already in talks with a British company which has an office in Vienna."

Rayner-Burt said he hoped to be able to compensate the actors for their efforts someday.

"It’s still a weekend endeavour for me and my wife. We both studied film at university but today work for local government and a distribution company respectively.

"We realised that we both had excellent theoretical but no practical knowledge at all. So we simply picked up a camera and started shooting. That was four years ago."

"The crew of ‘Journey of a Story’ is made up of volunteeers and I’m looking forward to start shooting this Easter. We will try to get the movie on the playbill of some international film festivals since a film is nothing without an audience."

Rayner-Burt said he and his wife were determined to remain active in the film-making industry.

"We will certainly carry on doing this. Let’s see where it takes us. The plan is to stay in the business long term.

"I think the ability to create something out of nothing plays a big part in the New Zealand mentality. Just look at the humble beginnings of [Lord of the Rings director] Peter Jackson and where he is now."

>> www.joasthemovie.com
>> www.earthwire.co.nz

Austrian Times

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