Dame Gaylene Preston, 75, is a writer, director and producer, who is a major driving force behind more than 14 feature films and documentaries, such as Ruby and Rata, Bread and Roses, Home By Christmas, Mr Wrong and My Year with Helen. She began working in the industry in the 1970s and has recently released her first book, a memoir, Gaylene’s Take – Her Life in New Zealand Film.
You have been described by filmmaker Jane Campion as “part liar, part cowgirl, mouthy and determined”. Does this sum you up adequately?
Pretty much. I’ve been making up stories since I was very little. I began as soon as I could string a few words together selling them to the neighbours as true – maintaining I had met characters from the radio, for example. Stories are all little lies, aren’t they? I don’t ride horses though.
Women and their stories are major themes of your films and your book.
