An introduction to the student projects, view the trailer in the movie file below. This exhibition brings to life personal narratives and reflections on the years 1914-1918 showcased as interpretive digital productions.
Browsing Category video
Gallipoli 1915
Created by Gal Stern, Emma Raho, Gagan Kalkat and Henrike Forschler.
This presentation draws on the battle of Gallipoli that took place in Turkey from April to December 1915. Fictional nurse Annie Johns recreates the lived experience of New Zealand nurses caring for wounded soldiers during the campaign by narrating an imagined story over historical images of time and place.
“Telling history through a fictional character is a great way to make history personal. The production of a video can be seen as a modern extension of diary or letter writing … Even though the project is based on the story of a fictional character, it still manages to depict Gallipoli’s reality at the time of World War One.”
Through the eyes of women
Created by Maria Latu, Tiare Miranda and Alpha Latu.
Students interview a member of the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom to learn about the background of this organisation and its role in promoting peace and justice.
“What drew my interest into this project was being able to interview an author and oral historian, Megan Hutching, and learning about different women on the ideal of peace and freedom”
Lost Letters
Created by Heather Mellor, Samantha Smith, Rachel Wilson, Sam Capper and Sophie Wang.
This project features two characters – a New Zealand migrant and her friend in England. The personal experiences of the war years are explored through fictionalised letters. The story is anchored on the munitions factory and the role of the Munitionettes. Historical information was embedded in each letter and writing styles were researched to enhance the letters to make them believable. A mix of constructed and real images are used to illustrate the story.
“The aim of ‘Lost Letters of a Munitionette’ was to create a world that would appeal to younger audiences but also earn the respect of World War One enthusiasts and to bring a new appreciation of women’s contributions to World War One.”
More Than A War : Lost Letters
Count Felix Von Luckner
Created by Moli Pulu, Alice Carter, Stephanie Look and Justin Laico.
This video weaves together research and personal narrative to tell the story of Count Felix Von Luckner, a German sea captain and his escape from Motuihe Island.
“The life of Felix Von Luckner is an intriguing tale. There are many more stories to be told. What started out as a challenging subject was an opportunity to discover New Zealand history that we previously have not heard about”.
Once on Chunuk Bair
Created by Ellaura O’Brien, Gemma Lane, Anita Sharp, Amberlee Jones and Hannah Shepard.
Director Ian Mune discusses with students his role, history and understanding of the WW1 play ‘Once on Chunuk Bair ‘ written by Maurice Shadbolt and produced in 2014 by The Auckland Theatre Company.
Soldiers occupying a trench during the Gallipoli campaign. Read, J C :Images of the Gallipoli campaign. Ref: 1/4-058131-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22784138
“Ian Mune gave us an insight of both the production and development of Once on Chunuk Bair in the 1980s and today [2014]. He also gave us an insight as to what life was like at Chunuk Bair and the feelings and meaning behind war”.
Read, James Cornelius, 1871-1968. Soldiers occupying a trench during the Gallipoli campaign. Read, J C :Images of the Gallipoli campaign. Ref: 1/4-058130-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23235687
When Enemies Become Family
A documentary film produced by Sam Mclaren, Annabelle Grace and Shaun Constable.
Film Length: 20 mins
This intergenerational interview tells the story of two men who fought on opposite sides during World War One and their eventual connection through the next generation in New Zealand.
Student Sam Mclaren interviews his grandmother Noelene Mercer who recounts the story and shares her family history.
“I saw an opportunity to to include something I am really passionate about, my family’s history. I believe my Nana is very proud of not just me but my team also. Noelene said that one day I would be able to show this to my children and show them their family history”.
“In the end it is not the war itself we remember but the stories of countless men and women”.
An Early Grave
Created by Phubeth Udomsilp, Daman Saini and Ryan Postlethwaite.
This story is a digital media and communication production. The fictional characters dramatise the horror of war in the trenches with particular reference to chemical warfare.
“The film uplifts and emotionally moves the audience and makes them not only understand the emotional acts and sacrifices but makes them feel included with the story.”
