NZIFF 2019 Q&A - Paula Whetu Jones - Yellow Roses (part of Ngā Whanaunga Māori and Pasifika Shorts 2019)

NZIFF 2019 Q&A - Paula Whetu Jones - Yellow Roses (part of Ngā Whanaunga Māori and Pasifika Shorts 2019)

My film is...
An ode to the elderly, love and loss and commitment. It’s the tragedy of those living  with dementia, and caring for those suffering from the debilitating illness. 

The moment I'm most proud of is….

There is no one moment…I’m proud of all of it.

The one moment that will resonate with an audience is…….The dancing. Many of our old people ball room danced and then all of sudden…they stop.…  It's something I believe totally belongs to a certain generation.

The hardest thing I had to cut from this film is……..An amazing shot that was like the eye of God. When Hine was lying on the the bed with her husband…It was a beautiful shot but didn't serve the story.

The thing I want people to take from this film is ...... 

Ring your old people..Don’t forget them…they still long to be a part of your whanau and the community, they still long to be touched and hugged. They need to be needed. This need does not dissipate with age. 

The reason I love the NZIFF is..
It showcases people and films and gives access to films an people you would never normally see. It creates conversations and celebrates film in an all encompassing way. 

What I want to see at this year's NZIFF is……Bellbird and Capital in the 21st century 

The one thing I'd say to aspiring filmmakers is…..
Your reality matters and your voice is relevant. You and your voice matter. Keep pushing if you really believe in your story and really believe it needs to be heard. It only takes one other person to see what you see and to believe in you to start the journey. Keep looking until you find that person.