The esteemed Kiwi filmmaker, Jane Campion, shared intimate insights into her tumultuous relationship with her cinematic creations during the prestigious Locarno Film Festival, where she is being feted with the Pardo d’Onore Manor Award for Lifetime Achievement on Friday evening's grand stage. Amidst the accolades, Campion also delved into a wide spectrum of topics, including the triumphant success of Greta Gerwig's Barbie, the enduring history of male supremacy in Hollywood, and her deeply complex bond with her own films.
Speaking of Gerwig's Barbie, Campion enthused, "Her take on the Barbie narrative is nothing short of remarkable. For the first time, we have a film that transcends Marvel's superhero archetypes, offering a humorous, highly creative, and delightfully subversive spin on the Barbie mythology. Gerwig has not only shattered the glass ceiling but also raced into the billion-dollar club, a testament to the fact that women are finally being entrusted with financial muscle and creative freedom."
When probed about the lukewarm reception her own films like In the Cut, The Portrait of a Lady, and Holy Smoke received upon their initial releases, Campion offered a poignant reflection. "The reasons are elusive, but I can hazard a guess. The industry was, and to an extent still is, heavily male-dominated. However, I rejoice in the fact that the gender barrier has significantly crumbled, opening doors for more equitable opportunities. The emergence of brilliant women filmmakers like Chloe Zhao and Justine Triet, who have swept numerous accolades, fills me with hope for a brighter future."
Elaborating on The Portrait of a Lady, Campion reminisced, "Nicole Kidman's talent was overshadowed by her association with Tom Cruise. Audiences saw her primarily as his romantic interest, not the formidable actress she truly is. But I knew from the start that she would shine as the classical heroine, transcending stereotypes and expectations. Her performance was nothing short of brilliance."
Regarding her complex relationship with her filmography, Campion confessed, "It's a tumultuous journey, fraught with intense periods of creation and relentless self-scrutiny. Each film is like a cherished offspring, nurtured with love and passion, yet feared for its imperfections. I'm a harsh critic, often pushing them to soar, yet terrified of the flaws I might uncover. It's a bittersweet experience, akin to an intense love affair that ends, leaving you with a mixture of longing and relief."
