See the stars under the stars in city
Unless you’ve been living under a rock all year, you’ve likely heard of the sweeping success that is Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit.
But if you missed it in cinemas, the Oscarwinning film is returning to the big screen in Christchurch at the Openair Cinemas, with the outdoor theatre championing Kiwi flicks under the night sky.
Waititi’s satirical film focuses on a young, indoctrinated Nazi boy – played by British actor Roman Griffin Davis – as he cautiously befriends a Jewish girl living in his attic, played by New Zealand-born Thomasin McKenzie. It will play at the cinema’s opening night today at Rauora Park, at the corner of Hereford and Manchester streets. The event runs until March 29.
Openair Cinemas spokeswoman Lisa Hollinshead said organisers always included Australian films when the dog-friendly event was held across the ditch, so it was important to include Kiwi films here.
Launching its third season in the city, the Christchurch event is the final stop of the trans-Tasman tour, which has entertained audiences in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth and Auckland.
As the cinema travelled often, it was not always possible to run the theatre in Christchurch over the height of summer.
Hollinshead said she hoped to eventually add more New Zealand cities to the tour list.
Warm and dry conditions are forecast to blanket Christchurch this week, with the city peaking at 28 degrees Celsius on Friday.
‘‘Because we get the films four to six weeks after they’re released, the idea is to give people a chance to watch the films they may have missed in the cinema,’’ she said.
Other Oscar-winning films chosen include Bombshell and Joker, while crowdfavourites include Star Wars: The Rise of Luke Skywalker, The Gentlemen, Little Women and Birds of Prey. The familyfriendly titles include Frozen II, Dolittle, Jumanji: The Next Level, Spies in Disguise and Sonic the Hedgehog.
There will be performers, including live music and a DJ, to entertain crowds while they wait for sunset, an on-site bar with wine and cocktails, and beer from Riverside Market’s Kaiser Brothers Brewery.
Retro outdoor cinemas have been enjoying a comeback in Christchurch, with Leighs Construction Outdoor Cinema running its annual season in summer by gold coin donation at the Arts Centre. Its last film for the season showed on February 8.