Writer Robin Hyde subject of film to have first Whanganui screening

Robin Hyde and her son, Derek Challis, at Palmerston North in 1931. Photo / Supplied

photo/SuppliedLiz Wylieliz.wylie@whanganuichronicle.co.nz

A Whanganui audience will get their first opportunity to see the film that explores the life of one of New Zealand's best writers, Robin Hyde (Iris Wilkinson).

Whanganui film-makers Double Farley teamed up with Wairarapa-based director Juanita Deely to make the short documentary A Home in This World which was selected for the DocEdge International Film Festival this year.

As well as being an acclaimed novelist, Hyde was a prolific journalist who wrote for a number of newspapers and magazines in the 1920s and 1930s, including the Wanganui Chronicle.

"Her life was as challenging and interesting as those of Frida Kahlo, Virginia Woolf or Amy Winehouse," says Deely.

"She was one of New Zealand's first feminists.

"Her experiences were very different from those of the suffragettes who came before because she was testing boundaries that had not yet been established."

A Home in This World is Deely's directing debut and she was inspired after reading The Book of Iris co-written by Gloria Jasmine Rawlinson with Hyde's son, Derek Challis, and published in 2002.

"I was curious to meet Derek and, although he was reluctant at first, he proved to be a wonderful interviewee."

Challis, now 88, was only 8 when his mother died and told Deely that he didn't think he could offer many insights.

"He has had a very successful and happy life and has a lot of his mother's memorabilia - first editions of her books, photos and letters."

Deely saw Double Farley's film Set in Stone which followed the restoration of Herewini Whakarua's statue at Pakaitore at the DocEdge Film Festival last year and approached Kevin Double to produce her film.

Filming of A Home in This World began in Auckland in August 2017 and concluded in January this year.

Deely is delighted with the result and hopes it will be possible to make a longer film at some stage.

"There were so many chapters to Robin Hyde's story that will make a wonderful film."

A Home in this World will screen with two other short documentaries for this week's Thoughtful Thursdays session at 6.30pm, September 20, Confluence Theatre, 15 Watt St. $10 at the door or book a five-film pass for $35. Limited seating so booking recommended. Book online at www.confluence.kiwi.