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 Three New Zealanders: Janet Frame
 A State of Siege
 Peel
 The Piano
 Perfectly Frank - The Life of a New Zealand Writer
 Wrestling with the Angel

Synopsis

Directed by Jane Campion, An Angel at My Table is adapted from author Janet Frame's renowned three-part autobiography. It threads together a series of images and scenes to evoke Frame's dramatic life story. Originally made as a TV drama, the much-acclaimed and richly-visual film established Campion as an international director, launched the career of actress Kerry Fox, and introduced new audiences to the "mirror city" of Frame's writing. This excerpt follows Frame's life-saving escape from Seacliff Asylum, to first publishing success at Frank Sargeson’s bach.

Background

Background to An Angel at My Table by Mary-Jane Duffy 19.09.2008

An Angel at My Table (1990) saw Jane Campion direct an adaptation of the three volumes of Janet Frame's autobiography (To the Is-Land, ...

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Credits (23)

 Jane Campion

Jane Campion
Director

 Bridget Ikin

Bridget Ikin
Producer

 John Maynard

John Maynard
Producer, 2nd Unit Director

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Comments (2)

 Reed

Reed

Posted at 07.19AM - 14.10.2011

Did the Irish band "The Frames" adapt there name from Miss Frame. They have a song called "Angel At My Table".

 Christy

Christy

Posted at 09.09AM - 21.04.2011

This movie was wonderful. Thank you for sharing her story with us. She will never be forgotten.

View all 2 comments ›

Produced by

 Hibiscus Films

Hibiscus Films

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Related Titles (13)

 Three New Zealanders: Janet Frame

Three New Zealanders: Janet Frame

Television, 1975 (Excerpts)

A rare TV interview with Janet Frame

 Wrestling with the Angel

Wrestling with the Angel

Television, 2004 (Excerpts)

A documentary about Janet Frame based on the biography by Michael King

 Peel

Peel

Short Film, 1982 (Full Length)

A Cannes-winning short film directed by Jane Campion

 A State of Siege

A State of Siege

Short Film, 1978 (Excerpts)

An acclaimed Vincent Ward adaptation of a Frame story

 The Piano

The Piano

Film, 1993 (Trailer and Excerpts)

Also directed by Jane Campion

 Perfectly Frank - The Life of a New Zealand Writer

Perfectly Frank - The Life of a New Zealand Writer

Television, 1998 (Full Length)

A doco on the writer featured in this film

 The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey

The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey

Film, 1988 (Trailer)

Produced by John Maynard

 Edith Collier: A Light Among Shadows

Edith Collier: A Light Among Shadows

Film, 2007 (Full Length)

Another tale of artistic repression in NZ

 Holmes - Janet Frame

Holmes - Janet Frame

Television, 2000 (Excerpts)

An interview with Janet Frame

 Taunt

Taunt

Short Film, 1983 (Full Length)

An early Bridget Ikin production

 Kitchen Sink

Kitchen Sink

Short Film, 1989 (Full Length)

Also produced by Bridget Ikin

 Crush

Crush

Film, 1992 (Trailer)

Produced by Bridget Ikin

 Autumn Fires

Autumn Fires

Television, 1977 (Full Length)

Featuring Martyn Sanderson

Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 The Janet Frame Collection

The Janet Frame Collection

Curated by NZ On Screen Team
Added 29 January 2010

 NZ Book Month Collection

NZ Book Month Collection

Curated by NZ On Screen Team
Added 04 March 2011

Quotes

Campion enters Frame's very soul. Rarely have childhood scenes been so evocatively recreated. 

– Iain Johnstone, Sunday Times (UK) reviewer

Yes, it is visually beautiful, and, yes, it is well-acted, but it doesn't call attention to its qualities. It tells its story calmly and with great attention to human detail and, watching it, I found myself drawn in with a rare intensity. 

– Chicago Sun-Times reviewer Roger Ebert

One of the very best films of the year 

– Derek Malcolm (The Guardian)

I can't believe it! Well not everyone's that lucky Walda - not on their first try ... something must have clicked! 

– Frank Sargeson (Martyn Sanderson) after being told by Frame that she'll be published

Awards

1992 Independent Spirit Awards (United States)
Best Foreign Film

1990 Venice Film Festival
Grand Special Jury Prize (the festival's second prize)
Film Critica  'Bastone Bianco' Award (best film, from a panel of Italian critics)
Elvira Notari Prize (by a panel of women film critics: for best woman director, best film about a woman, & best actress)
Agis Scuola Prize (by a student panel)
OCIC Award (International Catholic Organisation for Cinema & Audiovisual)

1990 Toronto International Film Festival
International Critics' Award

1990 NZ Film Awards
Best Film
Best Director (Jane Campion)
Best Screenwriting (Laura Jones)
Best Cinematography (Stuart Drysburgh)
Best Female Performance (Kerry Fox)
Best Supporting Role (Martyn Sanderson)