The problem for me, with most movies for children, is that the filmmakers make the mistake of making it too simplistic. Where a child's world can be very complex, emotionally.
I come from a place that is very politically sophisticated and progressive. New Zealand was the first place to give women the right to vote.
I'm not at my house storyboarding, and telling them they need to move from A to B, 'Move here and then there.' Never, ever! I used to storyboard when I was much less experienced.
The New Zealand culture and nature is such that we find it very difficult to celebrate creative achievement. In order to get New Zealanders' respect you have to dominate the world like Peter Jackson has done. He is absolutely revered.
I never had a mentor. God, it would have been nice, but I just didn't. I look up to Jane Campion. And my most favorite director Lynne Ramsay.
We don't tend to break into song when we go to war.
I've had my best experience as a filmmaker with true stories about real people and real cultures.
Here's the problem: women directors are not allowed to fail.
