Film features war women

AMY MCGILLIVRAY

Kiwi women who held down the fort while their men were away fighting in World War Two have been largely forgotten – until now.

New Zealand film-maker Gaylene Preston's latest film uses archival footage to show just how heroic the women on the home front were.

"Heroes are found in unexpected places. They are found in the kitchen and on the bulldozers," Ms Preston says.

The work was commissioned by the Auckland War Memorial Museum and will be projected on to the northern facade of the building in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

"I think it's great that in New Zealand we are keeping the women's story alive," Ms Preston says.

The Wellingtonian says women got very little recognition for the role they played during the war.

"Women are often on the edge of the frame and unfortunately that hasn't stopped. All that I've done is take them off the edge of the frame – to bring the edge of the frame actively into the centre of the frame."

The project took only two weeks to complete but Ms Preston says her work over the past 20 years acted as research for the film.

Her other works, including the mini series Bread and Roses and more recently the film Home By Christmas, have helped her become familiar with the archives.

She says women played an amazingly varied role during the war – filling in as truck drivers, farmers and milkmen as well as looking after their homes and families.

The film projected on to the museum will have no sound which Ms Preston says makes it more emotional.

"Often the women's appearance, when they were in the centre of the frame, has a condescending commentary," she says. "It speaks the loudest when it's silent."

If viewers take one thing from the film Ms Preston hopes it is a message of peace.

She says Anzac Day is a time to remember not just those who have fallen but the impact wars have on whole communities and countries.

The film will be projected on to the front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum from 7.30pm to 10pm, Friday to Sunday.

- © Fairfax NZ News