Interview with Director and screenwriter WGC Old Girl, Dame Jane Campion (1970)

Interview with Director and Screenwriter, WGC Old Girl, Dame Jane Campion by Constance Chuffart

Can you tell us about your fondest memory from your time at Wellington Girls’ College?

I came to Wellington Girls’ College after 10 years at my previous school. What I remember very fondly was the incredible generosity and kindness of the girls who introduced me around and from the start included me in their social world.

Were there any subjects that you particularly enjoyed the most, and did they play a role in your career path?

I completely loved Art History and it was one of the reasons I went to Italy after getting a BA in Anthropology at Vic. I wanted to see the museums and learn to speak Italian. I went to L’Università Per Stranieri di Perugia and had a fabulous time meeting people and learning a little Italian, and HEY I’ve just come back from being on the Jury at the Venice film festival, so all roads do come together…After the Italian class, I enrolled at Art School in Venice but sadly things went pear-shaped and I had to go to London and work. From there, I continued to pursue the idea of Art School and finally got into the foundation year at Chelsea College of the Arts.

Were there any teachers who had a significant influence on you during your time at Wellington Girls'?

My History of Art teacher - a beautiful, civilised woman who treated us as friends and adults.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker? Were there any specific experiences or moments during or after high school that influenced your career choice?

I have always loved making up stories and performing them as plays from a small person, and more or less through school. Falling in love with cinema came when I was lonely in London and going to the cinema almost every night. The films and the filmmakers became my friends and educators.

What advice would you give to current students who aspire to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in the film industry?

It’s great to feel inspired and if film does that for you, pursue it any way you can…or until you bump into something that inspires you more. In my experience, very, very few people really excel at filmmaking - really just a tiny handful - but to have a go and see what you can do is also satisfying and very good fun. My mantra was to try my hardest but I also realised that what I made and what I loved, might not be loved by others and that was OK too…at least I had tried.

What have been some of the most rewarding moments or achievements from your career as a filmmaker so far?

I think the thing I love is when something unexpected happens and suddenly elevates a moment in a scene that I could not have imagined. The other thing I have found deeply rewarding is giving back to filmmakers finding their way now. This past year I have been running a film school called A Wave In The Ocean here in Miramar which was free and funded by Netflix. This is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done. It also feels good to consciously make a positive female-friendly set where women feel safe and can express themselves and there are at least 50% women employed. I think it makes an incredibly positive difference to the culture on set and actors appreciate a more emotionally sensitive vibe.