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An Interview with Gaylene Preston Cineaste, Fall 2005 by Helen Frances

“FACTS, FAIRYTALES AND THE POLITICS OF STORYTELLING”


The Dominion Post - 26th March 2005

Movies – The Verdict
“PERFECT STRANGERS - A striking feature from New Zealand director Gaylene Preston”

The Daily Post – Rotorua

5 February 2005
“A near perfect weird little drama, with more than a few nasty surprises.”

Illusions Magazine Number 36 Winter 2004
by Helen Frances (New Zealand)

“ANALYSIS: Reflections on Perfect Strangers”

Reviewer Helen Martin
WIFT Newsletter, June, 2004

“Perfect Strangers is brought to life by superb acting from its leads Rachael Blake, Sam Neill and support Joel Tobeck”

Reviewer Deborah Shepard
TAKE Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand Magazine, Autumn, May 2004

“Gaylene Preston is one of those rare breeds of multi-talented, creative film-makers who works successfully in both drama and documentary format.”

SALIENT
issue one 2004
“Gone are the days when people could say this was ‘Pretty good for a New Zealand movie’ – Gaylene Preston has created a film that leaves a lot of it’s Hollywood counterparts for dead.”

CAPITAL TIMES
Reviewed by Graeme Tuckett.
11 February 2004
“Back to the future. IMAGINE, if you can, for one rose tinted moment, a New Zealand that may well exist in some other, more poetic dimension than this.”

Christchurch Star
Reviewer; Nick Paris
Rating, **** {4 Stars}
Date 08/02/04
“While everybody’s having a whale of a time with New Zealand cinema one hopes that Gaylene Preston’s ‘PERFECT STRANGERS’ won’t slip under the radar in the box office.”

INSIDEFILM October 2003
By Ruth Hessey
“Ruth Hessey (speaks with) Director Gaylene Preston and actress Rachael Blake about Kiwi magic, exploring fear and Sam Neill’s fart jokes.”

IF MAGAZINE
Ruth Hessey. Inside Film 13. October 2003
“A PERVERSE FAIRYTALE”


Daily Telegraph
By Vicky Roach. 9th October 2003.
Rating: (3 1/2 stars) ***1/2
MACABRE ROMANCE IS FULL OF SURPRISES.”


Australian Financial Review
October 4th 2003.
“A MAD, BLACK PSYCHO-DRAMA.”


The Sunday Telegraph
Paul Le Petit.
October 2nd 2003
Rating: (Four stars) ****
“Director Gaylene Preston Has Produced A Little Gem Here, A Film Of Great Atmosphere Using Its Actors To The Full ”


West Australian Arts & Entertainment Page
Ron Banks. September 11th 2003
Rating: ***1/2
“FAIRYTALE INTO NIGHTMARE”


ABC
Reviewer Julie Rigg
Rating: *****
But I can guarantee this film will surprise you. It confirms Rachael Blake as a magnificent actor, and Gaylene Preston as a filmmaker at the height of her powers.

Variety
By David Stratton
Gaylene Preston's generally taut and well directed pic is her best work in film to date..."


SCREEN DAILY
Frank Hatherley in Melbourne
review 14 Aug 2003
“It is a challenging ride, directed with great skill, although some may find the ending a psychological step too far.”


Review by Louise Keller
July 16th 2003
“A chilling story about obsession, Perfect Strangers puts a dent in The mould of fairy tale romance by allowing the prey to become the hunter: the ingredients of love and fear are roughly stirred to deliver a magical combo.”


Andrew L. Urban
And one thing is undeniable: it is the work of a genuine filmmaking talent, who has something important to say.”


SBS Movie Show
David Stratton ****
Margaret Pomerants ****
“PERFECT STRANGERS is one of the best films to come from New Zealand in recent years.”