Kia ora film aficionados! Are you the kind of person who hurries to IMDB after watching a movie? Does the Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival feature heavily in your calendar? If so, this list might be to your liking!

This month, we have stories about iconic filmmakers, including Aotearoa’s own Gaylene Preston, a recipe book inspired by the world of Studio Ghibli, a deep dive into censorship in Thai cinema history and a cinema inspired travel guide.

Cinematic Places (Inspired Traveller’s Guide) / Baxter, Sarah
“Cinematic Places is a guide to 25 essential cinematic destinations around the world, spanning different decades, directors and movie genres. Go beyond the big screen and explore the real places that inspired some of the greatest films of all time – brought to life through comprehensively researched text and stunning hand-drawn artwork.” (Catalogue)

Gaylene’s take : her life in New Zealand film / Preston, Gaylene
“Gaylene Preston has always sought out the stories that have not yet been told, and in this book she reveals the challenges and sometimes heartbreak that have come with that ambition. In both wide lens and close-up, she writes of formative experiences: her childhood in Greymouth in the 1950s, working in a psychiatric institution near Cambridge, England in the 70s, interviewing her tight-lipped father about his life in the war, and a mysterious story of her great-grandfather chiselling a biblical text off a gravestone in the dead of night. Along the way she takes us behind the scenes and into the shadows of some of the most enduring popular classics of New Zealand popular cinema.” (Catalogue)

Studio Ghibli : the unofficial cookbook / Vo, Minh-Tri
“Create delicious dishes from My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, and more with this cookbook inspired by the stunning worlds of Studio Ghibli! Whether they offer a moment of family bonding, comfort in difficult situations, or pesky temptations, the kitchen scenes are always of central importance in Studio Ghibli films. Now, with Studio Ghibli: The Unofficial Cookbook, you can recreate more than twenty of these movie-inspired recipes in your own home!”–provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Thai Cinema Uncensored / Hunt,Matthew
“In this first full-length study on the topic, Matthew Hunt–with access to rare and controversial films–provides a history of film censorship in Thailand.” (Catalogue)

But Have You Read the Book? : 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films / Lopez, Kristen
“For film buffs and literature lovers alike, Turner Classic Movies presents an essential guide to 52 cinema classics and the literary works that served as their inspiration. “I love that movie!” “But have you read the book?”. Within these pages, Turner Classic Movies offers an endlessly fascinating look at 52 beloved screen adaptations and the great reads that inspired them. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Number one is walking : my life in the movies and other diversions / Martin, Steve
“Number One Is Walking is Steve Martin’s cinematic legacy-an illustrated memoir of his legendary acting career, with stories from his most popular films and artwork by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss. Steve Martin has never written about his career in the movies before. In Number One Is Walking, he shares anecdotes from the sets of his beloved films-Father of the Bride, Roxanne, The Jerk, Three Amigos, and many more-bringing readers directly into his world.”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Acting naturally : the magic in great performances / Thomson, David
“From the celebrated film critic and author of The Biographical Dictionary of Film comes an essential work on some of the cinema’s finest actors and how they have approached their craft”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

All about me! : my remarkable life in show business / Brooks, Mel
“The legendary comedian, actor, and film producer and director traces his rise from a Depression-era kid in Brooklyn to his stellar film career, offering insight into the inspiration for his ideas and the many close friendships and collaborations behind his success.” (Catalogue)