Yours, Gwen

On Christmas eve 1953 the Tangiwai disaster took the lives of 151, among them was Gwendoline McFadgen, but she isn’t entirely dead. Yours, Gwen is a film about love, grief and remembrance told across four generations. Amelia Walshe investigates how her family has kept Gwen's memory alive over the past 70 years. Using reenactment, interviews, and archival materials we hope to share Gwen’s story with the Aotearoa. We will shooting certain sections of the film on heritage railway rolling stock & facilities. This will give the film a level of production value and historical accuracy that will lend even more authenticity and spirit to the film. We will be shooting Yours, Gwen as part of the VUW documentary production course across the Wellington region this September. We are seeking funding from boosted to provide our cast, crew, and supporters, with Kai and Koha, as well as financing travel between the myriad of locations. With your support we believe we can make a film truly worthy of Gwen’s memory.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE CREW

Amelia Walshe - Director

Kia Ora! I’m Amelia, the director of Yours, Gwen. This documentary is deeply personal to me and is a story of relationships, remembrance, and love. Bringing the memories of my family to screen is an honour, and I’m excited to share their stories. I can’t wait to work with this amazing crew and with them explore what keeps the dead alive.

Hamish O’Malley-King - Producer

Kia Ora, I’m Hamish the producer of Yours, Gwen. With experience in the Camera Department and writing I’m incredibly excited to step up to the role of producer. Together with our awesome team and some help from the heritage sector I believe we will create a film authentic to the period and authentic to Gwen.

Sophie Hampson - DOP

Kia Ora! I’m Sophie and I’m looking forward to being the DOP on Yours, Gwen. This will be one of my first times in this role and I can’t wait to take on the challenge with help from these amazing creators! As a filmmaker I love exploring human relationships and finding creative ways to draw people into our stories, both of which will be extremely prevalent in this film.

Esther Schubert - Editor

Hi! My name is Esther, I’m a young queer filmmaker with a passion for bringing stories of love and identity to the screen. As the gaffer and editor for this documentary, I’m honoured to bring this intergenerational story to life and celebrate the love between three amazing women, as the story of Gwen’s life is passed from mother to daughter.

Savanna Stent - Sound

Kia ora, I’m Savanna, I study music and film at Victoria University and I shall be your sound! Capturing all the goodness and the one behind the sound design for Yours, Gwen. I am passionate about helping to share this story of love, grief and remembrance. A story people can relate to when we think of our loved ones, they are still in our hearts always. I am still a young pup in the film industry, only being involved in a handful of productions, but I'm excited to learn more and grow as a filmmaker to share more stories that I am passionate about.