We’re just back – myself, Liz and her partner Kevin – from Great Barrier Island, where we were invited to screen Russian Snark. We had a great turn-out at the Social Club. Every second person seemed to be an artist, and there was a keen appreciation of the imagery in the film:  the bush and landforms of Auckland. Actually, the topography of the island deserves a film of its own: the gorgeous beaches and river valleys, and the claw-like pinnacles of Windy Canyon would make striking back-drops for any number of art movies or intense rural dramas. I’d love to make one here myself. There’s just the trifling issues of transport and accommodation (not to mention wages and per diems) of a cast and crew. Someone did it a while back, in the ’80s. It’s called the Flight of the Albatross; but they had silly money from Germany. In the meantime a rekkie of the island will have to suffice. But everyone – film-makers and non-film-makers alike – should visit. Stay, as we did, at the Pohutukawa Lodge, enjoy a slap-up pre-rekkie brekkie at the Wild Rose Cafe, as kaka cavort and whistle and shriek in the sky above. And get out an explore.