The House Within - A Portrait of Fiona Kidman

The House Within is a feature length documentary film on the internationally celebrated New Zealand writer Fiona Kidman. It examines the way in which life and fiction collide and how, with time, they become inescapably braided together.

The film paints an intimate portrait of Fiona's fascinating and often tumultuous life. It probes the inner world of a truly maverick writer who has overcome innumerable obstacles to establish her voice, and place, in the world of literature on a global scale.

Fiona speaks for the first time about the private pains and losses in her life and art, and how these experiences were fundamental to the creation of the fictional worlds which have moved us so deeply. The film is the only documentary ever done on Dame Fiona Kidman who, at 83 years of age, is a quintessential part of the landscape of New Zealand literature.

The New Zealand Listener wrote:

‘In her craft and her storytelling and in her compassionate gutsy tough expression of female experience, she is the best we have.’

‘We cannot talk about writing in New Zealand without acknowledging her, Kidman’s accessible prose and the way she shows (mainly) women grappling to escape from restricting social pressures has guaranteed her a permanent place in our fiction.’

- New Zealand Books.

The film has now been shot and, mostly, edited but we need a little help getting it through post-production. The money raised will go towards the required shoot pick-up days, music composition and recording, additional editing, sound design and mixing, colour grading, final mastering, legal costs and film festival submission.

Up until now the film has been entirely self-funded, but we wont be able to reach our submission deadlines without some generous help! We are working towards getting the film into top tier international festivals as we lead up to a wider theatrical release in New Zealand later in 2024.

The House Within is a project very close to my heart. It's one that I feel is really important to do now, given Fiona's immense contribution to the arts, and social causes, over her lifetime. Since our first meeting I've found myself more and more in awe and moved by her as a person, and by the story of her life, on top of her more obvious literary achievements.

In recognition of her contribution to literature, she was created a Dame (DNZM) in 1998 and, more recently, a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour. Fiona has spent her life standing up for the rights of others, and carving out a space for herself in industries where she was often the only woman in the room.

The House Within is a film that simply needs to be made. It shines a long overdue light on one of our country's most inspiring artistic figures and the fearless determination required to write the novels which have had such a lasting impact on our cultural identity. The film shows that perseverance, a belief in oneself and speaking one's truths, no matter the costs, are qualities worth fighting for.

Boosted works on an all or nothing approach, so if we don't hit our target we get $0 and all funds are returned to the donors. So please help us reach our goal and get this film out into the world! P.s. For all you business savvy readers out there, donations qualify for a 33% tax credit.

The Team:

Writer / Director:
Joshua Prendeville

Producers:
Joshua Prendeville, Kerry Prendeville, Victoire Maderou

Director of Photography:
Bill Bycroft

Editor:
Cushla Dillon, Richard Shaw

Composer:
Xavier Mañetto (with the collaboration of Begonia Chan)

Sound Recordists:
Nic Widfeldt, Adam Martin, Brynn Olsson

Sound Designer:
Tom Scott-Toft

Grip / Gaffer:
Danielle Sciascia

Colourist:
Dave Gibson

Legal Counsel:
Tim Riley

Literary Advisor:
Harriet Allan

With generous support from:

Production Facilities:
Goodoil Films

Camera & Lenses:
Imagezone

Grip Equipment:
Oli Harris / Wedge 

Transcoding:
Halcyon Digital

Steam Train Hire:
Steam Incorporated