Christina Stead - Author

2015

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Summary

Christina Stead became one of the greatest writer's Australia has produced and one of the great writers of the twentieth century. Her books, especially The Man Who Loved Children (1940), have attracted admirers throughout the English-speaking world and have been translated into many other languages. Through her long life she cared nothing for publicity or reviews. In her long life, she only agreed to one filmed interview. This is it. Over two days at the home of Mary Lord in Melbourne, Christina Stead spoke frankly about her life and times, her work, her travel through post war Europe and America and the cultural scene in Australia. What emerges is a unique portrait of one of Australia's literary giants. Whilst there are written pieces about her; seeing her as she speaks, adds immeasurably to our understanding of her personality and attitudes. Her emphasis, wryness and quiet humour are revealed and her steely intelligence is always on show. Her only request was that the film not be screened until after her death. "Her writing is frequently autobiographical , but glimpses of Christina Stead in person are rare. This film is such a glimpse. It shows her in her later years, at once engaged with her immediate surroundings, and ranging through past experiences and reflections on her career." - Margaret Harris, formerly Challis Professor of English Literature, University of Sydney, is Christina Stead's literary executor. Produced and Directed by Haydn Keenan Research by Gai Steele Interviewer: Elizabeth Ridell Cinematography by Malcolm Richards Editor: Michael Norton