Islands of the Empire was produced at the height of the anti-nuclear movement in Aotearoa New Zealand. The documentary traces the history of NZ’s military alliance with the US, from World War II, with the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, through to the Vietnam War and beyond. It examines US military installations in NZ and the often successful campaigns against them, while demonstrating that defence research, joint military exercises and military procurement in this country have all been designed for integration into the US war machine and the consolidation of American power in the Pacific. The film concludes with the massive anti-nuclear movement culminating in the election of a Labour Government committed to banning visits of nuclear warships.
2021 NEW RELEASE DVD (with 90+ mins of extras) is available for $25 (incl p&p).
Email: cmtaotearoa@gmail.com.
Credits: A film by: ALISTER BARRY, ROD PROSSER, RUSSELL CAMPBELL
Music: MATTHEW FISHER Thanks: ASSOCIATED SOUNDS, MR CHOPPER, GNOME PRODUCTIONS, FILM FACILITIES
Poster Artwork and Screen Print: DAVE KENT, WELLINGTON MEDIA COLLECTIVE
Funding assistance: QUEEN ELIZABETH II ARTS COUNCIL, NEW ZEALAND FILM COMMISSION, NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC COMMISSION FOR EVANGELIZATION, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Library footage: TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND, NZ NATIONAL FILM UNIT, US NATIONAL ARCHIVES, US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, VISNEWS
Vanguard Films/Pacific Peace Partnership
