The set

We filmed in an isolated farming valley north of New Plymouth (North Island, New Zealand). We extended the farm road, brought in parts of a house, which we added to, and constructed a wool shed out of old timbers. There were out buildings built and a hut dragged to the top of a hill. It was so muddy I remember going to repair a set whilst there on my own and I managed to bog the farmers tractor so deep, that mud covered its motor. By and large it was a community effort, (led by our Production Designer, Kai Hawkins). We involved local carpenters and farmers both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. One of the leads was a local jockey and was able to do all of his own horse stunts. However, many of the main actors came from further afield.

Fiona and I

Recently I saw Fiona in Sydney, where she now lives. She said: “I got a hell of a shock when I saw Vigil. I hadn’t seen it for years. Why did nobody tell me that she (Toss) is so close to me? I’m that person in the film! People said you cast it to be a bit like you.” (No, I thought)
“That the person is you, but actually it was me,”
She continued…

Fiona and I

While I didn’t agree with what she said people said about the character being like me, I was curious to know why this tom-boyish woman sitting opposite me would say this about her younger self.
Then she added “that little girl is watchful like me”.
It was then I realised that in this way we were the same.

Filming interior

Birdie (Bill Kerr) in his hut

Actor Bill Kerr would often fall asleep during the middle of filming scenes – whilst lying on this bed. I would position myself so that I could sharpely squeeze his big toe to make sure that he would stay awake during the take. He just remarried to a considerably younger woman. Full of romantic zest, reputedly he kept his wife’s knickers under his hat for warmth and good luck.

Helping one of the tangata whenua

With Alun Bollinger (Cameraman)

Alun and I worked very closely.

Directing