About Face - Jewel's Darl

"...I mean to say, shouldn't I be in love with a fella or something?" Mandy (Richard Hanna), a man who dresses as a woman, describes his relationship with transsexual Jewel (future politician Georgina Beyer). Jewel's Darl concentrates on the fine details of their relationship: tea and biscuits in bed, Jewel's belief in staying strong against other people's mockery, and Mandy's memories of a troubled childhood. Nominated for multiple NZ Film and Television awards after finally getting a TV slot, Peter Wells' drama was inspired by an Anne Kennedy short story, which won the 1983 Katherine Mansfield Award. 

...she ends up in the cells, reading the writing on the walls for company — hoping she doesn't come out of there in a box. Jewel says she knew two Queens who came out in boxes. Yeah...so Jewel says you gotta be tough kid. You've gotta never lose face.

– Mandy (Richard Hanna) recalls the time Jewel ended up in a cell

Key Cast & Crew

Georgina Beyer

As: Jewel

Anne Kennedy

Writer, Original Author

Peter Wells

Director, Writer

Bridget Ikin

Producer

John Maynard

Producer

Richard Hanna

As: Mandy