Peter Wells (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Wells
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Wells in 2013
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| Born | Peter Northe Wells 8 February 1950 |
| Died | (aged 69) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Notable awards | Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Peter Northe Wells MNZM (born February 8, 1950 – died February 18, 2019) was a talented New Zealand writer, filmmaker, and historian. He was well-known for his stories and novels. He also explored historical themes in his drama and documentary films, which he started making in the 1980s.
Contents
Peter Wells: A Creative Life
Film Projects
Peter Wells's first major film was Desperate Remedies (1993). He directed this movie with Stewart Main. The film looked at New Zealand's early colonial history in a unique, artistic way. It was even chosen to be shown at the famous Cannes Film Festival. This film offered a different style compared to many New Zealand movies of the 1970s and 80s.
Writing Adventures
After his first film, Wells focused on his writing. His short stories and novels received much praise. In 1996, he worked with theatre director Colin McColl. They created an opera based on Katherine Mansfield's stories about Wellington. This project was for the NZ International Festival of the Arts.
Two short stories from his 1991 collection, Dangerous Desires, were made into films. Of Memory & Desire, a story about a Japanese couple traveling in New Zealand, became Niki Caro's first feature film in 1997. In the same year, Stewart Main directed One of THEM!. This hour-long short film was a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s, based on a script by Wells.
Founding Festivals
In 1998, Peter Wells and Stephanie Johnson started the Auckland Writers Festival. This festival celebrates books and authors. In 2016, he also founded a festival called same same but different (ssbd). This event promotes writers who explore diverse experiences and identities. The festival includes an annual award called The Peter Wells Writing Award.
Awards and Recognition
Peter Wells received many honors for his work. His 2003 novel, Iridescence, was a finalist for the Montana New Zealand Book Awards. It was also a finalist for the 2005 Tasmania Pacific Fiction Prize. In 2006, he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This award recognized his important contributions to literature and film. He also received the Michael King Fellowship in 2011.
In 2009, Wells won a New Zealand non-fiction literary prize. This allowed him to write a series of essays about William Colenso. The book, called The Hungry Heart, was published in 2011. It explored the challenging life of Colenso, who was a printer, writer, botanist, and explorer. Journalist Geoffrey Vine praised the book, saying it set "a new standard in the writing of New Zealand history."
Personal Life
Peter Wells was married to the writer Douglas Lloyd Jenkins. Peter Wells passed away from prostate cancer in Auckland on February 18, 2019.
Works
Filmography and Videography
- Foolish Things (1980)
- Little Queen (1984)
- Jewel's Darl (1985)
- My First Suit (1985)
- Newest City on the Globe: Art Deco Napier (1985). Auckland: Moving Image Centre.
- Newest City on the Globe (1985). Written and directed by Peter Wells. Produced and edited by Stewart Main. Auckland: TVNZ.
- A Death in the Family. Film for television with Stewart Main.
- Drama on Film. Wellington: New Zealand Film Commission.
- The Mighty Civic (1988) Documentary co-directed by Wells and Stewart Main. Wellington: New Zealand Film Commission.
- A Taste of Kiwi (1990)
- Desperate Remedies (1993). Written by Wells and co-directed by Wells and Main. Isambard Productions.
- Naughty Little Peeptoe, with Garth Maxwell.
- One of Them Written by Wells and directed by Main.
- Georgie Girl (2001)
Installations
- Temples of Wonder Installation at the Hawkes Bay Museum, Napier.
