Hollywood legal threat over NZ “Wellywood” sign
WELLINGTON: Wellington Airport vowed Tuesday to press on with plans
for a “Wellywood” sign in the New Zealand capital despite local
opposition and legal threats from the guardians of the original US
“Hollywood” landmark.
The eight-metre-high (26 feet) sign across a hillside owned by the
airport was designed as a tribute to Wellington’s film industry, which
has created blockbusters such as “The Lord of the Rings”.
But the idea has divided the city’s residents, with some labelling it
“crass” and a “try-hard” attempt to ride the coat-tails of the real
Hollywood, while others defend it as an edgy promotion that will boost
tourism.
An opinion poll of 300 Wellingtonians released Tuesday found
opponents were in the majority, with 64 percent, while only 22 percent
thought it was a good idea.
The plan also prompted a protest involving about 80 people at
Wellington Airport on Monday night, where demonstrators disputed traffic
and displayed placards opposing the sign.
By Tuesday evening, a Facebook page opposing the plan had more than
23,000 “likes” while a “Support Wellywood” page had just over 10,000.
And Prime Minister John Key said he was not convinced the plan was a
good idea, adding: “I don’t mind if they do it. It’s up to them, but
personally I’d put Wellington up.”
The airport’s problems mounted when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
also weighed in, saying it was disappointed the idea had not been
scrapped after it was first mooted last year.
Chamber chief executive Leron Gubler accused Wellington Airport of
ignoring his organisation’s concerns and said he wanted recognition that
the chamber held trademark rights on the famous lettering in Los
Angeles.
“Otherwise, the lawyers can sort it out, but that seems a shame,
particularly in regard to a project that appears to be controversial in
Wellington already,” he said in a statement emailed to AFP.
Gubler added: “We are not without a sense of humor, nor without legal
rights.”
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