In 2019 the NFSA had the pleasure of hosting Jocelyn Moorhouse at our Canberra headquarters to discuss the release of her book, Unconditional Love: A Memoir of Filmmaking and Motherhood.

In a 50-minute conversation with journalist Alex Sloan, Moorhouse talked about her book, and balancing her career as a filmmaker with raising four children:

This talk was co-presented with the Australian National University and the Canberra Times Meet the Author series.

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Director and screenwriter Jocelyn Moorhouse is a veteran of the Australian film industry and has been the force behind some of the best cinema ever made in this country, including producing some of her husband PJ Hogan's films. 

Moorhouse has also maintained a marriage and family of four children. Her memoir is a moving story of growing up with adoring parents and siblings. She knew early on that she wanted to be a filmmaker and her dreams were encouraged by her family and teachers.

Meeting PJ Hogan, becoming parents and filmmakers together, was a turning point. But when they discovered that two of their children were autistic, her life turned upside down. 

In Unconditional Love: A Memoir of Filmmaking and Motherhood, she talks from the heart, with humour and intelligence, about her fears for her children, the highs and lows in her international career, navigating Hollywood and home, and her love for what she does best – filmmaking and motherhood:

I want to write about being a mother and about raising four extraordinary kids. Being their parent is like having an intense love affair with four people at the same time. And I want to write about making movies and writing screenplays. I come from a long line of storytellers.

Jocelyn Moorhouse's book is available from the publisher and you can learn more about her on 'The Kids Are Alright' (Australian Story, ABC, 2019).

Jocelyn Moorhouse films

You can find available streaming options for these titles via JustWatch.

Jocelyn Moorhouse and the NFSA

The NFSA holds a number of Moorhouse's films, along with supporting recordings and documentation. 

Proof (1991) | Jocelyn Moorhouse | 86 mins

Read about how the NFSA restored Proof and watch recent interviews with two of the actors from the film, Heather Mitchell and Jeffrey Walker.

Muriel's Wedding (1994) | PJ Hogan | 106 mins

Explore our Muriel's Wedding online exhibition and curated collection.

The Dressmaker (2015) | Jocelyn Moorhouse | 119 mins

In 2019 the NFSA hosted The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition, displaying the original costumes and spectacular range of haute couture worn by the film’s stars. 

Explore The Dressmaker curated collection to learn more about the film.

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