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