Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: When A City Falls

Just thinking

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:23:09 +1300

What's the general thought on Annually Certified Engineers, rather than Chartered Professional Engineers clearing or closing builings?
I myself would like the fully qualified rather than the trainee ensuring my safety, but that's not happening.

Ian Dalziel

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:18:41 +1300

Vent management...
...the problem with Australia is that it is a) naturally dry and b) geologically inactive, which limits nutrient input. (Volcanoes: crap in the short term, extremely helpful in the long term.)
Careful what you wish for...
:- )
I read that scientists reckon Mount Gambier used to erupt…

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:52:36 +1300

In other words, a giant Nauru?

In a lot of ways – I don't recall the details, but my understanding is that the problem with Australia is that it is a) naturally dry and b) geologically inactive, which limits nutrient input. (Volcanoes: crap in the short term, extremely helpful in…

Kumara Republic

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:40:04 +1300

Came to the same basic conclusion about the long-term sustainability of wide-spread farming there, though. Geology and climate are just not on their side.

In other words, a giant Nauru?

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:45:20 +1300

Coming home from a family wedding on Sunday, we stopped in Te Awamutu for a dish of tea and a gasper. If we'd been inclined to stay a while, the local cinema was not only screening When A City Falls but Wim Wenders' Pina (which is still damn impressive in…

Lucy Stewart

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:01:45 +1300

A colleague saw a presentation to an Australian water conference a few years ago that positioned farmable climate as a distinct 200 year blip there, with the previous 40,000 years suiting only nomadic lifestyles.

The way we discussed it in ecology classes (two or three years ago now) was Australia…

Sacha

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:19:23 +1300

a period of unprecedented climactic stability, which enabled the rise of farming

Under that scenario there's…

Ian Dalziel

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:54:59 +1300

a hollow scene indeed...
...unprecedented climactic stability...
Do you mean it was boring?
Or that everything was coming together?
Your middle C is out of tune...
:- )

Seriously though, I wonder if Gobekli Tepe was erected to celebrate the oncoming golden epoch, the seas had finished their rise about…

Lucy Stewart

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:44:08 +1300

Those are matters outside our ability to influence (or even know when to get away from.) Plagues etc. we can do small things about, but tornadoes, rain bombs, hurricanes, major droughts, and general climate change? not so much it seems...even when we know our own actions are hastening warming & acidification…

Ian Dalziel

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:23:28 +1300

The grate communicator…
What a way to start the weekend,
open The Press Mainland section
to see a quarter page ad from the Council & CD
– big heading “Great Job, we really appreciate it.”
Goes on to mention how 2011 has been difficult,
and to thank the tireless efforts of…

Joe Wylie

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:11:31 +1300

Ah, who could forget Jerry's new CERA logo jacket.
Has he bequeathed it to Te Papa yet?
Those attending today's CERA orange zone meeting seem to be giving credence to a rumor of Steven Joyce taking over the EQ Minister role.

Just thinking

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:09:39 +1300

I pulled out of going to see it on Thursday & after the reviews I might wait a wee bit longer before going.
I've lost trust in IPENZ and am contemplating wearing my old army dog tags to work (building classed as 55% of code). Might attend to the will too.

Islander

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:29:46 +1300

Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.
Will Durant
US historian (1885 – 1981)

If he'd added 'weather &' to the geological consent, I'd wholly agree with him.

Those are matters outside our ability to influence (or even know when to get away from.) Plagues etc. we can…

Carol Stewart

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:28:51 +1300

There's a quotation along the same lines:
Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.
Will Durant
US historian (1885 – 1981)

Christopher Dempsey

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:02:00 +1300

Saw When a City Falls this afternoon. Powerful film, well crafted. Shed a tear for the woman filmed being helped from the Feb rubble in a city street – she turned back to the rubble in desperation. We knew from news reports later why.

The striking line was at the…

merc

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:24:47 +1300

Ah, who could forget Jerry's new CERA logo jacket. A sure sign if any were needed that Govt. sees itself as a brand.

Sacha

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:20:10 +1300

That was the initial body before CERA was put in place. In both cases, to sidestep the local Council and put power directly in the hands of Minister Brownlee.

merc

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:47:24 +1300

Hehe yes. But also a supercharger ;-)

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:46:19 +1300

Peddle to the meddle...
I can only imagine this Commission was a power control mechanism.
a Governor?

merc

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:40:33 +1300

Very poignant. Setting up a new body to function as the replaced body (Council) was the very worst idea for recovery. What happens to that body on completion? It's knowledge? And the Commission's funds, in my opinion would have been better placed in the hands of Council, an existing body.…

Sacha

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:18:13 +1300

Redzoned eastern resident and MP Lianne Dalziel reflects on what impeded recovery in a recent address to a finance and insurance industry conference.

“One thing I have learned is that we prepare well for disasters in New Zealand – but we have not yet learned how to prepare for the…

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:41:45 +1300

Spruiker Parker and his pet Elvis impersonator...
Mayor Bob & allies’ thousand-year-Reich clause.
One of whom, Aaron Klown er Keown, is reported in this morning's paper – as saying:
...the public did not need to be involved in the process any more.
"I don't really care too much about consulting.
I…

Joe Wylie

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:48:44 +1300

really?
"Marryatt was last night flying back to his Hamilton home for a long weekend." – Indeed he does.

and they reappointed him?Yup, though rebel councillors successfully defeated Mayor Bob & allies' thousand-year-Reich clause.

Sacha

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:30:32 +1300

commutes from Hamilton

really? and they reappointed him?

Tom Beard

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:13:32 +1300

It’s like seeing an ex again for the first time after you break up. It brings back painful memories, but what are you going to do, spend the rest of your life desperately trying to avoid them?

That's probably what I've been trying to do with Christchurch for a couple…

Joe Wylie

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:00:55 +1300

(and don’t start me on the corner city CEO, Tony Marryatt, has painted us into with his conflict of interest by being a director of this company – and he’s paid for it – ya pay someone virtually half a million a year and they get another part time job!…

Emma Hart

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:50:45 +1300

I have just come from anniversary-night When a City Falls. We warmed up for depression and trauma by spending the afternoon watching the cricket.

So. For those not living in Chch. Seriously. If you give anywhere upwards of about half a fuck about me, or David, or anyone else who…

Sacha

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:27:54 +1300

Chickens circling the roost.

The commercial manager of Christchurch's PGC building knew the building was deemed an earthquake risk, but did not tell either the owner or engineers inspecting the building.

...

Mr Buchanan said he had reassured tenants the building was safe to occupy on the information he had received…

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:25:45 +1300

A city fails...
once Christchurch can be insured again
University insurance premium more than doubles...

Vero says it will "limit price increases'

Ratepayers to find $700,00 to help our insurer, Civic Assurance! (and don't start me on the corner city CEO, Tony Marryatt, has painted us into with his conflict…

PaulC

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:56:10 +1300

once Christchurch can be insured again, the film will be golden

will the government announce anything come the anniversary

Russell Brown

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:31:41 +1300

About 8-10 people in the cinema, but all stayed to the end of the credits, after which there was a tasteful silence (thanks Event Cinemas) before the regular sound-filler started up again.

It seemed only decent to stay in our seats till the end of the credits.

Walter Nicholls

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:13:43 +1300

Back onto the film, on publicity: almost entirely thanks to this blog post and subsequent comments, I took the family (2 kids under 13) to Albany last night. About 8-10 people in the cinema, but all stayed to the end of the credits, after which there was a tasteful silence…

Ian Dalziel

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:21:29 +1300

awl knowing...
Omniscience
Wasn't that the Penthouse of Science?
Or am I all over the place?

Dan Slevin

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:47:25 +1300

If I may add some more When a City Falls links for your perusal:

The Cinematica podcast interview with Gerard Smyth is in the first of the episodes at this link

This episode features interviews with James Croot and Rachael King about being a moviegoer in post-EQNZ Chch

cinematica.co.nz

Carol Stewart

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:27:15 +1300

Yes, I think so. Omniscience.

Danielle

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:58:07 +1300

The eye of Sauron?

Peter Calder

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:48:55 +1300

This made me laugh for a couple of days. But I don't get the "Professor as seen by post-doc" (the one to the right of the elevated donkey) Can anyone assist?

rene_p

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:07:37 +1300

Agreed – I want a copy too!

Carol Stewart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:23:49 +1300

I could tell you a dozen of 'em
Ah, but how about the Piri Weepu ones?

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:47:12 +1300

have you seen this, Lucy?

Yes. Yes I have. I find the columns about technicians particularly accurate. (Took me aaaaaaaages to work out the Chuck Norris joke, though, I could tell you a dozen of 'em but I've only actually seen a picture of him once or twice.)

Carol Stewart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:59:22 +1300

have you seen this, Lucy?

Hebe

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:43:19 +1300

Re the comments about publicity: google it; it's not hard (having to work a little to find a movie gives a taste of everyday life in Christchurch right now). This film is one that will endure, and judging from the number of DVD requests I have read, it will be…

Hebe

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:27:24 +1300

The Hollywood in Sumner is a good wee theatre, one of the few (only one?) left, there are eating places open around there. My in-her-80s mother-in-law was there watching When A City Falls the other day when a nearby 3.4 hit; said she levitated but stayed staunch to see the…

Craig Ranapia

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:25:28 +1300

Snaps! :)

Peter Calder

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:57:34 +1300

Uh, zero publicity about the screening?
Yep, it sure wasn't in your face the way Arthur Christmas or whatever will be. The budget for publicity for Hollywood films regularly exceeds the production budget these days, certainly in the case of films that have giveaway toys in McDonalds or whatever. By…

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:23:51 +1300

If only it were just academia. That's a prime symptom of *this* country's widespread poor management too: managers whose egos can't cope with specialist staff and other parties like suppliers knowing more than them – which is exactly how it should be.

It's just such a jaw-droppingly stupid way to…

Sacha

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:12:10 +1300

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:43:58 +1300

I can picture your hands on her shoulders, lovingly recreating the ground acceleration. Or maybe her neck (early Bart Simpson styles).

It was part of a wider range of WTFery, so I had time to moderate my reactions. (Probably only scientists will get this, but the best bit was "I…

Craig Ranapia

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:22:29 +1300

Folks, anyone looking for screenings of When A City Falls in your town, Flick.co.nz has a useful function on its page for the movie.

Felix M

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:21:28 +1300

It seems to be on in quite a few theatres – care of good ol' 'Flicks':
http://www.flicks.co.nz/movie/when-a-city-falls/

Sacha

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:05:18 +1300

I can picture your hands on her shoulders, lovingly recreating the ground acceleration. Or maybe her neck (early Bart Simpson styles).

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:10:26 +1300

I wouldn’t know about outside of Christchurch, but the mood abroad seems to be almost a stampede to forget.

One of the most teeth-gritting conversations I've had this year: with a scientist who does a lot of field research in Antarctica, flying through Christchurch. "Oh, you came here from Christchurch,…

Stupid

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:37:08 +1300

I really wanna see that, so is it on general release? Thanks for the heads up Russell. I'm in Christchurch now till Saturday, would be cool to see it down here.

Joe Wylie

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:33:24 +1300

I wonder if part of the problem is that a lot of people who’ve seen it talk about crying, and people think: nah, not today thanks.
I wouldn't know about outside of Christchurch, but the mood abroad seems to be almost a stampede to forget. It's particularly evident in the…

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:16:09 +1300

Thanks, Rob ... and I would like to add to Craig's praise of The Orator. Slow cinema tends to divide audiences; some fall asleep, other delight in the gradual unfolding of the plot. The Orator could not be made any other way.

Rob Stowell

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:35:03 +1300

Is it travelling the independent/art house circuit? Will it screen in Wellington
Hi Geoff-
Reading cinemas in Wellington- current times. Rialto in Auckland; Hoyts in Chch- which seemed odd, but they are almost the only screen left.
It'll probably get to Hamilton- unless it really fails to get bums on…

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:54:41 +1300

The vital element is getting the word out about films and where they are screening. I would really like to see this doco but haven't seen nor read anything about where or when it is screening. Is it travelling the independent/art house circuit? Will it screen in Wellington (I will…

Isabel Hitchings

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:13:14 +1300

I think I want to see When a City Falls but I think the timing and company need to be exactly right to see me through it and I'm not sure if it will (or could) come together.

Felix M

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:06:07 +1300

I went to the earthquake movie with my folks in Christchurch. We all cried quite a bit. My old man doesn't talk about it, so I suspect it was quite cathartic for him. Important to see it at a plex with good sound though I reckon. Agree — it's not…

Kyle Matthews

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:26:14 +1300

Yes, I am going to Wellington again next month...

I'm beginning to suspect that living in Christchurch is just a front for you :)

I’ll go out on a limb and say When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts was the most depressing four hours of dubiously legal…

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:53:22 +1300

and a tad depressing..

Yeah, but some things are “depressing” … well, life’s like that. I’ll go out on a limb and say When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts was the most depressing four hours of dubiously legal viewing I’ve ever had. It's also, in my not…

Rob Stowell

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:46:42 +1300

I think it might be a little over-long, but I dunno about depressing. What I came away with was a sense of kiwi voices and faces, ways of speaking, of understated humour, of goodwill, of honest emotion in the face of a shitty situation.
That really shone.
ETA- and yeah,…

John Norman

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:27:13 +1300

Not without its humor. As when a bunch of Maoris were at the meeting house, one standing as he addressed other attendees in their seats, when an earthquake (if an aftershock it looked some event anyway!) took place. They lived through it, shaking, shuddering, fixed staring each other etc. On…

Paul Campbell

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:31:21 +1300

We saw Once Were Warriors in the US, after living away from NZ for 10 years – we went in knowing nothing about the film other than that it was a film from home .... we came out quite blown away, in many ways, ......

Rob Stowell

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:24:52 +1300

Ah... My partner and I are considering going to see it on our anniversary on Thursday. Which would be kind of appropriate, because our first 'leaving the house' date? Was a screening of Once Were Warriors.
Yeah, not exactly a date movie. But we went on our anniversary, and not…

Paul Campbell

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:18:33 +1300

Yes, I'd like to add my encouragement to go and see the Orator – one of the best films I've seen this year

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:55:25 +1300

Yes, both are excellent films, particularly The Orator which uses film very well to tell its story.

If Leon Narbey is capable of shooting an ugly or dull frame, he's hidden the evidence very well. The production values on The Orator just prove that a big budget is no substitute…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:52:45 +1300

Speaking of ovoids (see below)…
the attached pic is of the Richmond Bowling Club (in my street) which was to have been the site of Chchch’s first PA Great Blend event…
a sad sight now (photo taken yesterday)…

Which would be kind of appropriate, because our first ‘leaving the house’…

Terry Baucher

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:43:45 +1300

I'd also like to encourage people to go completely crazy and not only go see O Le Tulafale (The Orator) (if you haven't already – why not?) but buy the DVD, which is due out just in time for discerning Christmas shopping. (Also consider buying Roseanne Liang's wonderful My Wedding…

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:18:32 +1300

I read the reviews and think “yeah that’s a valid quibble” but that’s an intellectual exercise; not really relevant to living through it all.

Completely get where you're coming from, Hebe – but I'd argue that it's more than an intellectual exercise to say that when we forget our history…

Hebe

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:07:52 +1300

Have a look at the Facebook page for When A City Falls. News like that is on there; from memory next year.

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:06:07 +1300

That seems worth supporting in itself.

It does – and I'm probably going to have to haul arse and see it some time this week (before heading off to Taupo for a family wedding).

I'd also like to encourage people to go completely crazy and not only go see [[http://www.flicks.co.nz/movie/the-orator/|O…

Raymond A Francis

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:58:43 +1300

tThis really isn't good enough, Auckland
They know how it ends?
Maybe but I will being making the effort to see this.
We had to make a few deliveries around the city a couple of weeks ago, it is heart breaking to see what has gone and the damage to…

Lucy Stewart

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:56:24 +1300

Is there any idea when it will be out on DVD/available to expats? For obvious reasons I very much want to see it, but there's no way I'll be in NZ while it's on theatrical release.

Emma Hart

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:55:46 +1300

You may find the actual noise of the earthquakes disturbing.

Just as well I've already had a run at that then, because yes, that noise provokes a really visceral reaction.

But you’ll be okay, I think. You’ll cry, but you’ll be okay.

Yeah, we've met, haven't we? That is, indeed,…

Hebe

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:49:50 +1300

Ah... My partner and I are considering going to see it on our anniversary on Thursday. Which would be kind of appropriate, because our first 'leaving the house' date? Was a screening of Once Were WarriorsI reluctantly went to the premiere (yep I wuz scared) and it was very worthwhile.…

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:45:42 +1300

The “clunky” bits were a deliberate attempt to raise the audience’s eyes from what had happened to what could be, so people – particularly in Christchurch – would walk out of the movie feeling stronger and uplifted not traumatised by reliving some of the hardest days of our lives.

Yes,…

Hebe

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:42:19 +1300

Calder is right to say that the visits at the end of the film to look at reconstruction efforts in San Francisco, New Orleans and Portland (which suffered only the trauma of conventional urban decay) "seem jarring, not just because they are so fleeting. They make room for some high-sounding…

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:38:42 +1300

Ah… My partner and I are considering going to see it on our anniversary on Thursday. Which would be kind of appropriate, because our first ‘leaving the house’ date? Was a screening of Once Were Warriors

Good lord.

But you’ll be okay, I think. You’ll cry, but you’ll be okay.…

Emma Hart

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:27:32 +1300

We didn’t go to see this movie because it seemed like it falls into the “Once were Warriors” category – something you _should_ see, but don’t expect to enjoy. It didn’t seem to fit with our tone of it being a special date type evening.

Ah... My partner and I…

Sacha

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:24:48 +1300

Quite. Marketing a film doesn't usually consist of favourable one-off stories a month earlier.

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:23:04 +1300

Did you say when and where the screening was? Must have missed that.

Yes, but who can remember anything for four weeks these days?

Sacha

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:22:41 +1300

I can't afford to go to the movies. I haven't been to any this year.

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:22:31 +1300

YMMV, but it’s not good enough that too many damn good documentaries are lucky if they do the Film Festival circuit and eventually wash up on DVD.

Oh, quite. But here's one, and important one, that actually got nationwide theatrical release. That seems worth supporting in itself.

Sacha

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:22:25 +1300

Media7 and Campbell Live covered it weeks ago

Did you say when and where the screening was? Must have missed that.

BenWilson

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:22:10 +1300

I can't afford to go to the movies. I haven't been to any this year. It's an outrageous luxury that isn't even luxurious.

Russell Brown

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:21:15 +1300

Uh, zero publicity about the screening?

Poorly timed publicity, perhaps. Media7 and Campbell Live covered it weeks ago, and while Gerard talked to Kim Hill on Saturday, listeners may have had other things on their minds.

Hannah

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:14:25 +1300

Because people go to the movies for escapist entertainment?
FWIW we actually went out Saturday evening to the movies – the first time for ages, since our kids were both away for the night. We didn't go to see this movie because it seemed like it falls into the "Once…

Sacha

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:05:40 +1300

So why was there a grand total of five of us in the theatre
Uh, zero publicity about the screening?

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:03:28 +1300

This really isn’t good enough, Auckland.

YMMV, but it's not good enough that too many damn good documentaries are lucky if they do the Film Festival circuit and eventually wash up on DVD. (And, as depressingly usual, if they screen on television at all Maori is your best bet -…

Public Address

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:03:28 +1300

Discussion from blog post.