We watched a movie about the Fiordlands while we were in the Fiordlands. It’s a strange concept to go to a theater to watch scenery on film when the nature literally surrounds you outside. But the fascinating thing about the Fiordlands is that only 3% is accessible to most people—the rest can only be seen from the air.
Kim Hollows, a helicopter pilot, witnessed the scenery of the Fiordlands on a regular basis. Originally, he had learned to fly a helicopter to hunt wild deer, which were then considered a pest in New Zealand. However, he soon ended up taking trips with his photographer friend, Dave Comer, so that they could better capture the landscapes (Dave ended up becoming so familiar with the beauty of New Zealand that he became a location scout for movies like Lord of the Rings). Kim and Dave were inspired to help people see what they see, especially since most couldn’t afford helicopter rides to enjoy the vast landscapes.
Together, they spent three years filming Ata Whenua – Shadowland, which showcases Fiordland’s wilderness in a variety of seasons. There was nowhere to present their movie, so they decided to build a cinema for it in Te Anau, a small town located between Queenstown and Milford Sound. Kim had to remortgage his house and sell one of his helicopters in order to finance the project, but he had a feeling that tourism would blow up in this area. He was right. At the time, the town was considered as just a quick stop with a grocery store and gas station—today, it’s considered a destination for most tourists, with a variety of restaurants and motels.
This 52-seat cinema started as a shrine for Ata Whenua – Shadowland, screening it almost hourly every day. But it has been so successful that it can also bring in blockbuster movies like Captain Marvel. It has an adjacent bar, The Black Dog, that serves custom Fiordland wines. Upstairs, there’s a boutique hotel called The Cinema Suites. There’s a food truck called Habit Foods outside, which serves baos that are so good, a zealous Google reviewer said he “doesn’t care if Milford Sound disappoints.”
The cinema feels extremely intimate. Before the movie even starts, a local staff member explains the significance of the film and its history. Then, the lights are dimmed, and you are immediately awed by the beauty of the Fiordlands. The 32-minute film leaves you speechless, and you can fully understand why the land has World Heritage status. The theater has the best surround sound in the Southern Hemisphere, and the audio makes it feel like you’re flying along with Kim and Dave. It was an excellent introduction to the land, an experience of its own, and set an appreciative tone for the rest of our time there.
Some shots from our time in the Fiordlands—just a taste of its beauty:
