Success Stories
Conceived, Designed and Directed by Veialu Aila-Unsworth
Blue Willow is an animated short film by Toi Whakaari directing graduate Veialu Aila-Unsworth that has had incredible success at various international film festivals, including competition in the Kinderfest section of the prestigious Berlin Film Festival.
The Berlinale, along with those in Cannes and Venice, is among the biggest film festivals in the world. Spread out over 10 days it is attended by around 500,000 people, including more than 16000 trade visitors and 3800 journalists.
The Kinderfest section is one of six in the festival and features 21 short films and 21 features.
Blue Willow was nominated at the NZ Screen Awards in 2006 and has been shown in the Berlin Film Festival, NZ International Film Festival, IndieLisboa (Portugal), Granada International Film Festival (Spain), Hamburg Short Film Festival (Germany), Brisbane International Film Festival (Australia), Lola Kenya Screen (East Africa), Carrousel International Film De Rimoski (Quebec), Wairoa Maori Film Festival, Goyang International Children's Festival (Korea), Milwaukee International Film Festival, Ale Kino! Film Festival (Poland), Chicago International Film Festival, ImagiNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival (Canada), Mill Valley Film Festival (California), In the Bin Film Festival (Australia) and Cinema K (Seattle). It has also gone to Clermont-Ferrand - a short film market in the South of France.
Blue Willow was the first animated film Veialu Aila-Unsworth ever made, and not only did the young film maker direct and write the film, she also provided all the drawings for the animators to work from.
“I always thought that it took a huge budget to get accepted into big festivals like Berlin and Blue Willow was made on a home computer in Houghton Bay, said Veialu. “So it feels rather surreal to be a part of such a prestigious event.”
The animated film took 18 months to make and is based on the most popular design of plate in the western world – the traditional ‘Chinese Willow Pattern’ found in so many kiwi homes. The 13-minute film is an animated proverb that takes you into the heart of the porcelain plate, bringing the blue lines of life and weaving a story of love and family betrayal.
“The main reason I love the story and the pattern so much is how such an elegant plate, with such a beautiful story, finds itself being smothered by left over macaroni and cheese or fish pie,” said Veialu.
After spending the first 4 years of her life on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, Veialu completed her Master of Theatre Arts in Directing at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University of Wellington in early 2005. Her work for the MTA included making Blue Willow and a 20 minute documentary on other Papua New Guineans living in Wellington and their experience with immigration. In 2006 Veialu wrote a feature length script as a part of a programme at the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington.
Two other Toi Whakaari graduates worked on Blue Willow, directing graduate Tom Beauchamp voices Tajin and acting graduate Dan Caddy voices both Chang and Father. The voices in the film were also developed in a workshop using Bert van Dyke / Roy Heart theatre techniques with acting graduates Katlyn Hung-Wong, Allan Henry and Gareth Williams.
Blue Willow was supported by the Screen Innovation Fund and NZ Film Commission.
Reviews of Blue Willow
"Bordering somewhere between dream, myth and critical reality, the film questions ideas of culture, identity, time and space. Spurred by a deep personal search, aila-unsworth goes beyond the surface of mythology to tell stories that affirm and connect." - Whitefungus Magazine
"Enchanting.. .its 'true-love almost conquers all' tale has extra dimensions exploring family loyalty and the traditional lot of daughters in China; and it sends itself up with a delicious surprise comic ending." - Real Groove Magazine
Check out www.bluewillow.co.nz
