A controversial film by University of Otago student James Muir has been selected to screen in the London International Documentary Festival in May.
River Dog is an environmental documentary that follows Muir’s father’s battle to stop farmers grazing stock on the Pahaoa riverbed in the Wairarapa.
The film has raised controversy and South Wairarapa district councillor Julie Riddell had threatened Muir and the Paramount Theatre in Wellington with defamation proceedings if the film was screened.
Muir dismissed the legal threats as just threats and explained that “the issue being raised is not one of personal grievance towards any one farmer. The issue being raised is about the protection and care of our fresh water”.
River Dog has also been nominated for five awards at the Reel Earth International Film Festival including best short film, best New Zealand film, best emerging film-maker, best New Zealand film-maker and best cinematography.
Otago film selected for festival
