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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
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National Film and Sound Archive
Articles

In conversation: Jocelyn Moorhouse

We bring you a recording of our conversation with Jocelyn Moorhouse when she visited the NFSA in 2019 to discuss her book, 'Unconditional Love: A Memoir of Filmmaking and Motherhood'.

Written by Travis Green
07 May, 2020
2 minute read

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:

Jocelyn Moorhouse in conversation with Alex Sloan at the NFSA, 2019

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

Go Deeper...

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.

Proof, 1991. NFSA: 202045 Written and directed by Moorhouse, winner Best Film at 1991 AFI Awards. The arrival of a young restaurant worker (Russell Crowe) disrupts the life of a blind photographer (Hugo Weaving) who is looked after by a housekeeper (Geneviève Picot). Click on image to enlarge.
Australian poster for Muriel's Wedding
Muriel's Wedding, 1994. NFSA: 255178 Produced by Moorhouse, winner Best Film at 1994 AFI Awards. The socially awkward, ABBA-loving Muriel (Toni Collette) dreams of having a glamorous wedding and transforming her personal life. Click on image to enlarge.
Poster for How to Make an American Quilt featuring Winona Ryder
How to Make an American Quilt, 1995. NFSA: 381753 Directed by Moorhouse, nominated for Best Cast at Screen Actors Guild Awards. Bride-to-be Finn Dodd (Winona Ryder) hears tales of romance and sorrow from her elders (Ellen Burstyn, Anne Bancroft, Maya Angelou and more) as they construct a quilt. Jared Leto's first film role. Click on image to enlarge.
The Dressmaker Movie Poster Featuring Kate Winslet
The Dressmaker, 2015. NFSA: 1430033 Directed and adapted by Moorhouse from the novel by Rosalie Ham, winner four AACTA Awards. With her sewing machine and haute couture style, Myrtle 'Tilly' Dunnage (Kate Winslet) transforms the women of her hometown and exacts sweet revenge on those who did her wrong. Click image to enlarge.

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 🚨 Invalid link 🚨 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 🚨 Invalid link 🚨 online exhibition and 🚨 Invalid link 🚨 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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