An Angel at my Table

Of the many films that make up New Zealand director Jane Campion’s filmography, only two are New Zealand stories, produced in New Zealand. They are: An Angel At My Table (1990) and The Piano (1993). The Piano was made with finance provided by French production company CiBy 2000, who sought to invest in a range of films made by experienced and new talented film directors. The Piano was made by an Australian production company, so technically The Piano does not qualify as a New Zealand film. (Film in Aotearoa 1996 pp183-184) A case could be made for The Piano to be included in a study of New Zealand cinema because of the creative control afforded Campion by the investors, the cultural relevancy of the subject matter, and the New Zealanders involved in making the film. Conversely An Angel At My Table was made with a majority of funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, and by a New Zealand production company. Pertinent to the Film Commission investment is the fact that profits...