HEAVENLY CREATURES

Year: 1994
Reference: F27819
Media type: Moving image

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Year: 1994
Reference: F27819
Media type: Moving image

This content is for private viewing only. The material may not always be available for supply.
Click for more information on rights and requesting.

Place of production: New Zealand/Aotearoa
Categories: Feature
Duration: 1:45:00
Production company: Wingnut Films
Credits: Cast: Melanie Lynskey
Cast: Kate Winslet
Cast: Sarah Pierse
Cast: Diana Kent
Cast: Clive Merrison
Cast: Simon O’Connor
Cast: Jed Brophy
Cast: Jed Brophy
Cast: Peter Elliott
Cast: Gilbert Goldie
Cast: Geoffrey Heath
Cast: Kirsty Ferry
Cast: Ben Skjellerup
Cast: Moreen Easen
Cast: Elizabeth Moody
Cast: Liz Mullane
Director: Peter Jackson
Producer: Jim Booth
Writer: Frances Walsh
Writer: Peter Jackson
Director of Photography: Alun Bollinger
Production Designer: Grant Major
1st Assistant Director: Carolynne Cunningham
Editor: Jamie Selkirk
Production Manager: Honor Byrne
Location Manager: Martin Long
Production Co Ordinator: Jacqui Wood
Props Buyer: Meryl Cronin
Set Dresser: Meryl Cronin
Costume Designer: Ngila Dickson
Sound Recordist: Hammond Peek
Digital Effects Operator: George Port
Prosthetics: Richard Taylortania Rodger
Effects: Richard Taylor
Effects: Tania Rodger
Visual Effects: Weta Ltd
Music Composed: Peter Dasent
Funded By: New Zealand Film Commission

Heavenly Creatures, set in Christchurch in 1954, is based on the true story of two girls, Juliet Hulme and Pauline Rieper, who murdered Pauline's mother - one of the most bizarre and notorious cases in New Zealand's history.

Both girls came from very different backgrounds but shared an outrageous love of fantasy and novel writing. The friendship quickly blossomed into an exclusive society of two, with the girls creating a complex fantasy life that included a made-up religion, Mario Lanza and a mythical kingdom.

The film is a study of an extraordinary friendship; a joyous, exhilarating relationship between two teenage girls, filled with humour, intelligence and two wonderful imaginations - and the tragic outcome of that relationship.

Developed by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Jim Booth, Heavenly Creatures screened at the Venice Film Festival in September 1994, where it was awarded a Silver Lion. The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1995. Jackson was also recipient of Best Director at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards. The film premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival and a remastered version was presented by NZIFF for 30th Anniversary screenings in 2024.