Auckland-based film maker Peter Webster heard about the plight of the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre and wanted to help - so he is doing just that.

Peter has written, directed and produced his first feature film Green Angels and has offered the film free of charge to the Roxburgh Cinema Trust to be screened outdoors as a fundraiser.

He heard about the Waitangi Day fire that destroyed the building, and the first fundraising outdoor screening that was held in the town recently on the television news.

“I heard about the cinema being the oldest continuously operating one, [which is] special.”

“My thoughts were that they’d be in fundraising mode.”

Peter has contacted the Roxburgh Cinema Trust but has not yet had a response to his offer.

“It will have to be soon, before it gets too cold.”

Roxburgh Entertainment Centre committee chair Norman Dalley said he was aware of the “very generous” offer. 

“We haven't had a chance to think about it yet… or even what movies we will pick from. ”

Norman said the next movie was going to be on at the end of April and the committee have not decided what the options will be.

On March 29 the committee held an outdoor screening of the movie Tinā, directed by Miki Magasiva, and it was well received, Norman said.

“Two hundred people were there. It was a fantastic movie and it put the expectations right up there.”

The amount raised from Tinā’s screening was currently unclear.

“We’ve still got to pay for the movie [Tinā], so we still need to settle on those numbers,” Norman said. 

Green Angels stars well known Kiwi actress Siobhan Marshall along with Johny Morell, Hannah Koumakis, Rachel Nash.

Peter said his 45 years of involvement in local theatre and television meant he had a network of people who wanted to get involved with the film.

The film is the story of an ambitious woman Ange Williams, compensating for her deprived upbringing, who neglects the welfare of her teenage stepson. When her plans fail, only then does she confront the truth as the movie hits a turning point for her and her stepson. 

Green Angels movie poster. PHOTO: Supplied 

View the trailer for Green Angels here. It is rated M (offensive language and suicide references) and runs for 75 minutes. LINK: https://youtu.be/WEa4FRTN9Aw?si=05jcVJt5G88Y453b

The film is due to screen at the Victoria Theatre and Cinema in Devonport, Auckland from May 1 for six days. 

Peter hopes it will also go to the Monterey Cinema in Howick for another week of screening. The Monterey is located near to the locations used in the film, in Auckland’s eastern suburbs.

Read more: Roxburgh Entertainment Centre rebuild plans underway

Read more: Community ‘devastated’ after fire rips through Roxburgh Town Hall

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