Pietra Brettkelly facts for kids

Pietra Brettkelly (born 1965) is a filmmaker from New Zealand. She is well-known for making interesting documentary films. Her movies have been shown at some of the world's biggest film festivals. These include the Sundance, Toronto, Venice, Berlin, and Tribeca Film Festivals.

Pietra Brettkelly has won many awards for her work. She has also been nominated for an Oscar three times. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. She was recently named an Arts Laureate of New Zealand. She is known for her independent and brave filmmaking style. This style has taken her to many different countries. She approaches her film subjects with a calm and fair attitude. This helps her capture and share real stories.

Early Life and Learning

Pietra Brettkelly was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, in 1965. She has said that there was no film school in New Zealand when she was young. Because of this, she did not get a formal film education. She learned by doing and experiencing the world.

Her parents took her to many places, from Papua New Guinea to Portugal. This helped her appreciate different people and their stories. Before becoming a director, she traveled the world as a journalist. Her first documentary was "Beauty Will Save the World" (2003). It was about the first beauty pageant ever held in Libya. VIVA Magazine described her as "an extraordinary person who has led an extraordinary life." They noted her travels to Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan, and China. Traveling and experiencing new cultures taught her a lot about making documentaries.

Amazing Documentary Films

Yellow Is Forbidden (2018)

Pietra Brettkelly's 2018 film, Yellow Is Forbidden, was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival. It was chosen for both the Best Foreign Language and Best Documentary sections at the Oscars. Vogue Magazine called it "a celebration of how extraordinary women are." The film follows the journey of talented Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei. It shows the detailed work behind her magnificent high-fashion gowns. The movie also explores culture clashes and the hard work needed for high fashion.

A Flickering Truth (2015)

Brettkelly's film, A Flickering Truth, premiered at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. It was also shown at the Toronto Film Festival. This film is about finding and saving old films in the Afghan Film Archive in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Guardian newspaper gave it a four-star review. They called it "an astounding film." The film was chosen as New Zealand's entry for the 2016 Best Foreign Language Oscar. Pietra Brettkelly said she wanted to tell a story that changed how people saw Afghans.

Māori Boy Genius (2012)

In 2012, Brettkelly's film Māori Boy Genius was shown at the Berlin Film Festival. This movie follows a young boy named Ngaa Rauuira Pumanawawhit. He is a 16-year-old prodigy. The film shows his journey from rural New Zealand to the United States. He travels there after being accepted into Yale summer school.

The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins (2008)

Pietra Brettkelly met Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft while filming in Sudan. Beecroft is known for her unique performance art. In Sudan, Beecroft decided to try and adopt motherless twins. Brettkelly followed Beecroft's adoption efforts for 16 months. This became the film The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins. The film won Best Editing in the World Documentary section at the Sundance Film Festival.

Beauty Will Save the World (2003)

Her film Beauty Will Save The World (2003) had its first showing at the American Film Institute Film Festival. The film follows 19-year-old Teca Zendik. She is the American contestant in Libya's first-ever beauty pageant. The movie shows how she becomes an honorary consul for the US in Libya. It also includes rare footage of Muammar Gaddafi. This film is an "accidental political documentary."

Filmmaking Style and Themes

Pietra Brettkelly has said that two main ideas appear in all her films. These are identity and isolation. She feels isolation because she lives in New Zealand. Identity is important to her because she is a first-generation New Zealander. Her parents taught her to be curious and to think about what she could bring to her new home. She believes A Flickering Truth explores these ideas of identity and isolation.

In Yellow is Forbidden, you can also see themes of isolation and the complexity of life. The film often uses close-up shots. These shots might show Guo Pei's hands designing a garment. They might also show the beautiful details of the dresses. By focusing on one item, Brettkelly visually shows her theme of isolation.

When making documentaries, Brettkelly likes to write her films. However, she does not follow a strict script when filming. She might write about difficult moments, even if she hopes they don't happen in real life. This helps her prepare for different situations.

Variety magazine has described Pietra Brettkelly's films as a mix of art, politics, and personal stories. Brettkelly believes her films have a "considered quietness." She uses a fair approach that lets people tell their own stories. She values the honesty and trust people give her. This allows her to capture important times in their lives. Her work is not always straightforward. It is often unclear on purpose. This helps show the real uncertainty in her subjects' lives.

Brettkelly says that the risks she takes in making her documentaries show either passion or craziness. She is driven by stories that matter. She focuses on personal journeys that reflect bigger issues in the world.

Filmography

Awards and Honors