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Alumni Q&A: John Chrisstoffels

09 March 2023

John Chrisstoffels is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury and a critically acclaimed filmmaker and musician of over 35 years. A respected member of the New Zealand film-making community, John regularly assists and mentors young filmmakers around the country, lending his support to film organisations and events. His latest film, Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace, chronicles the life and times of Hawkes Bay farmer and peace activist Bill Youren during the post-war years

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What brought you to kick off your creative career and study your BFA at UC?

I was a big cinema fan and became heavily involved in the local Canterbury Film Society during the 1980s. I had also always played music and became a fixture in the local alternative music scene. I made a video for one of my groups around 1986. It impressed a few people, and they suggested that I might further my interests by studying film at the School of Fine Arts at UC. It had never occurred to me then that I might be eligible to enter the prestigious school as I did not have the prerequisite University Entrance level practical art papers. Instead, I submitted my music video as a portfolio and was accepted. It was an opportunity that changed my life.

Where did the seed for your latest film, Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace, come from? What is this project about?

In 2015 UC Art Historian Richard Bullen and Otago Historian James Beattie had researched and written a book on Hawke's Bay farmer and peace activist Bill Youren. In tandem with the book's release, they presented an exhibition of Youren's Chinese art collection at the University. This exhibition also featured film footage shot in China by Bill in 1953. It was English Professor Paul  Millar who first suggested that Bill's story would make a great film. I needed no convincing that this was a good idea, as I was transfixed watching hours of 8mm footage shot by Bill spanning the late 1940s through to the early 1960s. Not only was there previously unseen footage of China, but also rare glimpses of the pre-television era of rural Aotearoa.

John Chrisstoffels Poster UC Alumni

If we think of peace and protest in New Zealand, we might think of students marching against involvement in Vietnam, the Bastian Point land marches in the 1970s and more prominently, the Anti-apartheid protests in 1981. Here was an opportunity to tell the story about the fledgling peace movement post-world war two when only a handful of brave people like Bill took a stand against war.

What was the experience making the film like?

With Richard Bullen, James Beattie and Paul Millar, we actually made two films. The first film was much shorter at 40 minutes and was screened in 2017 at the Napier MTG Gallery in conjunction with a retrospective exhibition of Bill's life and Chinese art collection. The film was shown to a packed house of people who fondly remembered Bill and had many new stories to tell. It was then that we realised a full-length feature film needed to be made.

I was fortunate to have access to not only Bill's films, photos and artwork but also to rare material in the  MacMillan Brown Library. Filmmaking is very expensive and reliant on the support of colleagues and the goodwill of institutions. This film could not have been made without the support from UC. However, the final hurdles required industry professionals in order to get the film into festivals and cinemas. In that regard, two producers, Nadia Maxwell and Alexandra Porter, came to the rescue. With their help, the documentary was finally finished in 2022 and, to date, has travelled the world, featuring in eight International Film Festivals. Buoyed with our success, we look forward to screening the film at New Zealand cinemas in 2023.

You are also a senior lecturer here at UC, sharing your experience, knowledge and passion with students – did you always want to teach? What do you love most about this role?

I very much enjoy teaching as it is very satisfying to watch the confidence grow in students over the years as their projects become more sophisticated and ambitious. As I wrote earlier, my BFA degree set me on a fantastic path, and I continually hope to provide the same opportunities that I had to all my students.

What are some highlights in your career you look back on most fondly?

The most satisfying thing about looking back at my career is to appreciate that every film project I have been involved in has been a unique opportunity to visit interesting places and meet wonderful people. Sometimes it can be exciting filming out of a helicopter, and other times incredibly humbling when meeting people bravely facing insurmountable life challenges.

What advice would you give to students who dream of following a career like yours?

Filmmaking is often a group activity where you must work very closely with others. It involves long hours, and it can be very stressful at times. Always be punctual and listen carefully but always ask questions if you are unsure. These are the basic rules.

It sounds like a cliché, but a positive attitude is the best thing that you can bring with you when filming.

Check out Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace in New Zealand cinemas soon


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