Footage of bands wanted

A DOCUMENTARYMAKER is seeking to unearth footage of 1970s, ’80s and ’90s Dunedin scenery, live music venues and live Dunedin Sound bands — particularly The Chills.

Director and producer Julia Parnell, of Auckland, said her team was filming The Chills’ lead singer Martin Phillipps last year when he was informed he had a 30% chance of dying within 12 months if he did not make big lifestyle changes.

‘‘His subsequent decision to reconcile with the world and confront past mistakes has provided the foundation for a compelling and dramatic documentary narrative,’’ Ms Parnell said.

Documentary director Rob Curry is keen to see any footage filmed at gigs by The Chills in Dunedin during the 1980s or 1990s in the hope of adding scenes to the film.

He said three distinctive types of footage were needed.

‘‘We need footage of Chills gigs or Chills members. If you attended a Chills gig or know any Chills members and have video footage of them in the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s, we’d love to hear from you.

‘‘We also need footage of the wider Dunedin scene, particularly from the early 1980s.

‘‘We also want footage of life in Dunedin in the 1970s or 1980s.

‘‘We want to paint a picture of life growing up in this atmospheric South Island town, so any footage you have from this period, however old and scratchy and seemingly unconnected to the music scene, may be of value.’’

Ms Parnell said the documentary would combine neverbeforeseen footage with an ‘‘intimate currentday story’’ and backed by a ‘‘killer’’ musical soundtrack.

‘‘Our film, alongside Martin, picks apart his lifetime of memories, and as his precious items are discarded and redistributed, discovers the story behind it all.’’