1080 Documentary Wins Out Against NZ Propaganda Machine

Dirty tricks are afoot in the war against 1080 use in New Zealand. "Someone based in New Zealand" has been left with egg on their face after allegedly sending an email to the director of the AMRISTA Film network trying to "persuade" the festival organisers not to show the Graf brothers Poisoning Paradise documentary about the use of 1080 in NZ. Unfortunately the ruse backfired and the Graf brothers were sent a copy of it.


Details of the attempted coup are presented on the GrafBoys weblog, from which the following extracts are taken. This is the email in which the self confessed "very disturbed" author managed to do his/her own "dredging up":  an old, spent conviction of one of the brothers: (note: words in italics within the emails are our comments)

"To: director@swanseafilmfestival.com
Subject: Poisoning Paradise is propaganda

Dear Director

I was very disturbed to read recently that Poisoning Paradise, a film by Clyde and Steve Graf of New Zealand , is to be shown at your festival. I am concerned that audiences unfamiliar with the issue in New Zealand would not recognise this film for what it is – a blatantly biased piece of propaganda paid for by the deer hunting lobby.

The film (it would be very wrong to call this a documentary) is also made by deer hunters, one of whom has been convicted of armed robbery. The very few so-called ‘experts’ that the brothers dredge up have no scientific standing in New Zealand . The ‘research’ is not peer reviewed and goes against all other scientific research in New Zealand (see the first link below).

Despite all their efforts, and financial backing, none of the television networks (public and private) in New Zealand have agreed to screen it for the reasons listed above. (ed. now why is that?) I believe that screening this rubbish would only lend credibility to these characters, and would reflect very badly on what looks like a fine festival that you run. (ed. toadying, an adult is writing this?)

1080 is actually a critical tool in the battle to protect New Zealand ’s beloved native flora and fauna from introduced pests, and one that we cannot do without.

I have posted some links below that may be of interest and there is plenty more material that can be found.

I would appreciate it if you let me know what you decide to do on this matter.

Kind regards

Rxxxxxx Cxxxxxx"

(links are displayed on the Grafboys blog) 

Fortunately the recipient of this miserable missive saw it for was it was and allegedly copied the Grafs into the response:

"Attention: Rxxxxx Cxxxxxx. (Name removed to protect identity of writer)

Our decision to screen this documentary film within the AMRITSA Film Festival network has been made and will NOT be reversed.

AMRITSA Film Festivals are dedicated to and based upon the right of the free expression of opinion. (ed. so he noticed that the film wasn't shown on TV networks in NZ?)

This ‘right’ is one which we will hold to fast and maintain in the interest of debate.

Should YOU and or YOUR organisation (ed. this means R C was writing on behalf of their employer?) wish to present an alternative point of view to that contained within ‘Poisoning Paradise’ then we suggest you submit a ‘film’ and it would be considered for screening.

Thanks for writing

AA"

We here at E2NZ applaud that response and we wait for the "organisation" to produce its own film.

Any worldwide, legitimate debate over the aerial use of 1080 in New Zealand,

 a country that long traded on its '100% Pure' image yet is the world's largest user of the deadly poison, can only be welcomed.

It will also give us a clue as to the identity of this "organisation".  As Rolf may say "have you guessed who it is yet?"

Our readers may also be interested to read our post about the debacle over the editing/censorship of the 1080 page on Wikipedia in which references to the film were removed.

For our many other posts about toxic 1080 use in New Zealand please see those tagged '1080' - link

Today's posts - click here