Iris

A made-for-television feature about the life of New Zealand writer Iris Wilkinson – an international novelist, poet and journalist, writing under the pen name of Robin Hyde

Iris, New Zealand, 1984

Director: Tony Isaac
Production co: Endeavour Productions / Aotea Enterprises
Producers: John Barnett, Tony Isaac
Screenplay: Keith Aberdein
Photography: James Bartle, Howard Anderson
Editor: Michael Horton
Art direction: Josephine Ford
Music: John Charles

With: Helen Morse, Phillip Holder, John Bach, Donogh Rees, David Ashton, Elizabeth McRae, Roy Billing, Katy Platt, Peter Hambleton

Betacam-SP (from Umatic), colour, 90 minutes, PG

A made-for-television feature about the life of New Zealand writer Iris Wilkinson – an international novelist, poet and journalist.

Under the pen name of Robin Hyde,Wilkinson earned a reputation as a writer of great originality, power and fluency. She gained even greater notoriety for her flamboyance and total disregard for the straight-laced conventions of her day. Beautiful and romantic, she believed she could live in a world of her own choosing: find love and recognition, without compromise. By the time she was thirty, Wilkinson had a life strewn with impressive achievements – successful journalist, published novelist, poet, biographer. But a darker side had emerged… The film operates on two levels – one the life of Wilkinson/Hyde, the other a group of filmmakers working on a film of her life. In recreating a complex character, director, writer and actress become totally seduced by the beauty, charm, magic and tragedy of Iris Wilkinson.

Screenings: Iris screened 29 August 2004 as part of a selection chosen by mediaplex manager, Steve Russell.