Jewel's Darl

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About Face
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes7
Production
Producers
Running time30 minutes
Original release
ReleaseAugust 10 (1986-08-10) –
September 22, 1986 (1986-09-22)

About Face is a 1986 New Zealand anthology television series.[1] It featured seven half hour films from New Zealand film makers. They were directed by seven different directors who had not directed drama before.[2] Each film was created over a two week shoot and production of the series was completed in 1985.[3] The films premiered at Santa Barbara in February[4] before the series began on One in August, playing on Sunday nights.[2] Another New Zealand short, Rud's Wife, showed in the same slot the next Sunday which NZ on Screen say was arguably the eighth of the series[5] and the Press referred to it as part of the series.[6]

Episodes

  • Danny and Raewyn
Writer: Gregor Nicholas, Frank Stark, Anne Kennedy. Director: Gregor Nicholas
A couple is struggling with their marriage. It stars Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Peter Stephens.[2]
  • The Lamb of God
Writer: Piers Davies. Director: Costa Botes
Three people, including a butcher, are besieged by sheep who have staged a revolution.[7]
  • A Fitting Tribute
Writer: Greg Stitt, Alan Smythe. Director: Greg Stitt
Based on a short story by C. K. Stead, it tells the story of Julian Harp. It stars Lucy Sheehan.[2]
  • Jewel's Darl[8]
Writer: Anne Kennedy, Peter Wells. Director: Peter Wells
Adapted from a story by Anne Kennedy that won the 1983 B.N.Z. Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award. A transvestite and a transexual come together for support. Stars Richard Hanna and Georgina Beyer.[9]
  • Return Journey
Writer: Shereen Maloney. Director: Shereen Maloney
A mother and daughter grow closer. Stars Mary Regan and Elizabeth McRae.[2]
  • Universal Drive
Writer: Debra Daley. Director: Martyn Sanderson
A brother and sister try to cope with a crisis.[2]
  • My First Suit
Writer: Peter Wells. Director: Stewart Main
Steve and his estranged parent try to pick out a suit for him, but is his sexuality more important?[2]
  • Rud's Wife
Writer: Alison Maclean, Norelle Scott. Director: Alison Maclean
A recently widowed grandmother treats her family to a Sunday roast dinner. Stars Yvonne Lawley.[10]

Awards

Feltex Television Awards 1987[11]

Other nominations included Best Drama Series, Best performance, female, dramatic role (both Georgina Beyer and Lucy Sheehan),[12] Best Writing for a Drama (Anne Kennedy and Peter Wells, Jewel's Darl), Director (Peter Wells, Jewel's Darl) and Single Drama Programme (Jewel's Darl).[3]

References

  1. "[feature]", NZ Listener, p. 27, 9 August 1986
  2. "'About face' brings new N.Z. talent to television", The Press, 6 August 1986
  3. Pryor, Ian (24 May 2017), Showcasing some new faces, NZ on Screen
  4. Hutchison, John (24 February 1986), "Eight N.Z. films in U.S.", The Press
  5. About Face, NZ on Screen
  6. Petrovic, Hans (15 July 1988), "Film-maker puts talkback radio in spotlight", The Press
  7. "What happens when the sheep turn nasty?", The Press, 16 August 1986
  8. "[feature]", NZ Listener, p. 22, 4 June 1983
  9. "Shocking or touching", The Press, 30 August 1986
  10. "'Rud's Wife'", The Press, 27 September 1986
  11. "Topp Twins score treble in G.O.F.T.A. awards", The Press, 17 July 1987
  12. "'The Quiet Earth' nominated in 11 categories", The Press, 12 June 1987