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Sky commemorates Anzac Day, transports trenches into the present

Sky’s History channel and DDB have teamed up for a unique Anzac activation in which fake trenches were set up in Auckland and Wellington with actors dressed as soldiers re-enacting what it would have been like during WWI.

The activation was set up to mark the centenary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli and honour all the soldiers who went to war, according to a release issued by Sky.

The first activation was set up in Auckland on Lorne St last Friday where the entire live scene was painted in black and white “…just as if it’s a piece of history taken straight from the film archives of the Great War”. The activation also ran today in Wellington at Civic Square.

People who have viewed the re-enactment have been posting pictures to Twitter with the activation’s tagline #unforgottensoldiers.

Before the event, Sky also posted a video to YouTube in anticipation of the Auckland re-enactment.

Sky marketing director Mike Watson says the campaign has been developed in order to remind Kiwis of the battle. 

“As time goes the battles of Gallipoli and the Western front become ever more distant,” he says. “Although there is some amazing film from the era looking at historic black and white footage makes the viewer even more detached. This year Sky and History are proudly presenting Unforgotten Soldiers – an Anzac Tribute, by bringing you face to face with history as we remember it. We hope Kiwis will join us at the trenches as we remember all those who’ve given everything for their country, and us.”

RSA chief executive, David Moger adds: “This Anzac Day marks the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli, but 100 years on we no longer have WWI veterans with us to share their stories and experiences first-hand. History [via Sky]is allowing the families of our heroes, and the younger generations a rather unique opportunity to discover what life was like during the war.”

The campaign forms part of the H100 programme, an on-channel event featuring a huge amount of shows and content from WWI and beyond.

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