The Filmmakers –
the art star and the sudanese twins
PIETRA BRETTKELLY, PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
It’s true to say I am passionate about documentaries – the risks I’ve taken in making some of them exhibit either passion or craziness. Beauty Will Save the World took me to Libya for that country’s first ever beauty pageant and a bizarre interview with the “mad dog of the Middle East” Colonel Muammar Gadaffi. The film premiered at the American Film Institute Film Festival in Los Angeles and later at Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, Toronto and overnight. in Amsterdam.
THE RESCUE OF IANI
A two part documentary for TV3’s Inside New Zealand charting the seven year struggle of New Zealand woman Alana Cleland to adopt the Romanian orphan, Iani Lingurar, who she says “stole her heart”. Romanian authorities have claimed she stolen the child and Alana and Iani are now trapped in a former Soviet block country fighting a system that won’t acknowledge she is the only family he’s ever known and he is the child she has put her life on hold for as the process drags on.
ENDS OF THE EARTH
A four part documentary series searching out New Zealanders who feel the need to go beyond our safe and comfortable shores (or the traditional London tube or the Bondi tunnel) for a life not so ordinary. Living in extreme places around the globe – Afghanistan, the Amazon, Kazakhstan, the Arctic Circle to name a few – what drives them to call these places home?
BEAUTY WILL SAVE THE WORLD
“In her fascinating, briskly paced video documentary, Pietra Brettkelly tracks the pageant with a sharp eye toward its implications.”
LA Weekly Nov 2003
Before Saddam and Osama, Colonel Muammar Gadaffi was one of the most reviled leaders in the world. Libya still ranks in the Axis of Evil roster. Why then does this hotbed of anti-Americanism host the most iconic of Western competitions – a beauty pageant? A first for Libya, anathema to traditional Muslim life, and even a burr in the saddle of many Western cultures, this battle of the beauties is guaranteed to produce some heated, if not scandalous, events.
‘Beauty Will Save the World’ follows the exploits of 19 year-old Teca Zendik, the American contender for the crown. She sets out with her political loyalties in check, even refusing to wear the competition uniform – a teeshirt emblazoned with Gadaffi’s likeness. How then does she assume the position of honorary consul to the US for Libya in a mere matter of months? Marvel at how diplomatic ties are re-established between two nations, enjoy the behind-the-scenes antics of a beauty pageant, and seize the chance to see rare footage of Gadaffi himself in this accidental political documentary.
ONE FOR THE ROAD
A poignant documentary profile on an international footballer who lost his career, his relationship, his life to drink and is now clawing his way back, including a revealing search for his birth mother.
KILL OR CURE
A documentary series charting the evolution and future projections of medicine that screened internationally on Discovery and Discovery Health.
THE MYSTERIOUS MISS X
Drama/documentary about a double agent in the 60s who masqueraded as a normal housewife.
SHADES OF GAY
THE MIDDLE YEARS
THREE SCORE YEARS AND THEN…
Three poignant documentaries that profile individuals’ sexual lives as they discuss with extraordinary candidness what normally remains unsaid.
THE SCHOOL BALL
A coming-of-age observational documentary following the lives of six teenagers over a year as they go through the highs of their school ball to the lows of realizing they are third generation un-employed and high school dropouts.
CORRESPONDING STORIES
A documentary profiling the struggles and achievements of those who create their classrooms wherever they happen to be – from prisons to remote backblocks, through the correspondence education system.
COMING HOME
Three very different but equally successful New Zealand woman living in New York uncover their motivations and sacrifices in achieving that success in this revealing film.
IRENA DOL, EDITOR
Irena Dol has been editing award-winning documentaries for 12 years, and continues to have a passion for smart, honest films. The highlights of her career include:
THE ART STAR AND THE SUDANESE TWINS
Currently editing a feature length documentary on the extraordinary story of Vanessa Beecroft, world-renowned contemporary artist and her struggles to adopt twin Sudanese boys, a struggle that may test her strength, her sanity and her marriage.
ENDS OF THE EARTH
A four part documentary series searching out New Zealanders who feel the need to go beyond our safe and comfortable shores (or the traditional London tube or the Bondi tunnel) for a life not so ordinary. Living in extreme places around the globe – Afghanistan, the Amazon, Kazakhstan, the Arctic Circle to name a few – what drives them to call these places home?
THE RESCUE OF IANI: PARTS 1 & 2
A two part documentary for TV3’s Inside New Zealand charting the seven year struggle of New Zealand woman Alana Cleland to adopt the Romanian orphan who she says “stole her heart”. Romanian authorities have claimed she stolen the child and Alana and Iani are now trapped in a former Soviet block country fighting a system that won’t acknowledge she is the only family he’s ever known and he is the child she has put her life on hold for as the process drags on.
GANG GIRLS
A powerful ,frank and moving account of life for women within New Zealand’s most notorious gangs told with dignity and humour. Their horrifying experiences in the TVNZ award-winning film, humble the most hardened of hearts.
Winner best documentary Qantas 2003
Finalist best documentary TV Awards 2003
Finalist best editor TV Awards 2003
EXPLORERS
Located through some of New Zealand ‘s most beautiful and extreme locations this four part documentary series retraces the extraordinary jouneys of some of New Zealand’s most well known pioneers.
GIVE IT A WHIRL
A six part award-winning documentary series charting the evolution of New Zealand rock and roll through the decades interwoven with social and historical events that stamped our music and popular culture.
JACOB BRYANT, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Jake Bryant has just won the Qantas Film and TV Award for cinematography of a project produced and directed by Pietra Brettkellly, ‘Ends of the Earth’. Jake has had extensive experience filming cultural and environmental documentary’s all over the world. Formats used include S16mm, Varicam, Sony F950 High Def, HDV and DVCam.
THE ART STAR AND THE SUDANESE TWINS
D.O.P. on a documentary following world-renowned artist Vanessa Beecroft and her international adoption of Sudanese twins. Shot in South and North Sudan, Milan, Venice, Palm Springs, London and New York. Shot on S16mm and HDV. Director: Pietra Brettkelly
DEATH ON THE BEACH – 1 HOUR, TVNZ – 2006
D.O.P. on documentary on whale strandings and the relationship History New Zealand has with whales. Produced by The TV Set. Director: Justin Pemberton
ENDS OF THE EARTH – 4 X 1 HOUR FOR TVNZ – 2006
D.O.P. on extreme observational series looking at New Zealanders making a living in some of the toughest spots in the world. Shot in South Sudan, Afghanistan, Uganda, the Amazon and Kazakhstan. Produced by: The TV Set. Director/Producer: Pietra Brettkelly
ICE: THE ANTARCTIC – 5 X SERIES FOR TVNZ, NEW ZEALAND – 2007
D.O.P. on a 4-part series investigating the history of New Zealand in the Antarctic. Shot in Antarctica and New Zealand. Produced by JAMTV. Director: Melanie Rakena
OFF THE RAILS: A LOVE STORY – 10 X 1 HOUR FOR TVNZ – WINNER OF 3 QANTAS MEDIA AWARDS IN 2005
D.O.P. on presenter-led history series tracing the stories behind the New Zealand Railways. Produced by JAMTV. Director: Melanie Rakena
INTREPID JOURNEYS – 10 X 1 HOUR FOR TVNZ – WINNER OF 4 QANTAS MEDIA AWARDS IN 2005-2006
Lighting cameraman on presenter-led adventure/travel programmes filmed in Myanmar, Mongolia, Syria, China and Russia. Produced by JAM TV.
THE REAL OFFICE – 1 X 1 HOUR FOR TVNZ – 2005
Lighting cameraman on Documentary about the life of the office worker. Produced by Greenstone Pictures. Director: Jill Graham
THE RESCUE OF IANI: PART 2 – FOR TV3, NEW ZEALAND 2006
Lighting cameraman Produced by TV Set. Director: Pietra Brettkelly
PAPA JO – 1 X 1 HOUR FOR TVNZ – 2004
DOP, the story of Maori healing and its place today following a renowned healer both in New Zealand and the United States. Produced by Kiwa films Director: Chelsea Winstanly
FIFA WORLD CUP 2002– 1 X 1 HOUR FOR UK RELEASE AND REVERSIONED FOR WDR IN GERMANY
Lighting cameraman filming the official documentary on the production of the FIFA WORLD CUP.
Other broadcast & film experience:
CNN Inside Sailing Show & Various CNN News Features – 2004
Lighting cameraman Inside Sailing. Produced by CNN International.
HBS FIFA Football World Cup in Korea/Japan- 2002
Seve weeks in Korea & Japan filming cultural features for the world feed (HBS) of the 2002 World Cup.
TWI – Trans World Sport International
Filming cultural sports features though out Europe and the Pacific including lifestyle feature for the Pro Surfing Tour.
Ways To Run by Autozamn – 35mm Music Video 2006
D.O.P. for Music video directed by Martha Jeffries. Released internationally on MTV and various other music channels.
Black Widow by Chong Nees – S16mm Music Video 2006
D.O.P. for Music video directed by Martha Jeffries. Released in New Zealand and Australia on various music channels
Curtis by Curtis – Music Video 2004
D.O.P. for Music video directed by Dave McGrath. DVD release. Released internationally on MTV and various other music channels.
