On Friday, November 28 at 4:45 p.m., “Grace — A Prayer for Peace” was screened at NTT CRED Hall No. 2, followed by a talk session with Director Dame Gaylene Preston. The session also featured Ms. Taeko Ogawa, who appears in the film, with Ms. Tomoko Nishizaki serving as moderator and Ms. Hannah Joy Sawada as interpreter. Renowned for her adventurous spirit and creative vision, Director Preston has produced numerous works that blend humor and warmth, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of New Zealand cinema. In this documentary, she closely follows artist Ms. Robin White, capturing the process behind her artworks with a distinctive musicality and vivid realism.
Japan is the first country outside New Zealand to screen the film. Both Director Preston and Ms. White grew up in a world overshadowed by nuclear weapons, and the director shared that presenting the film in Japan was a personal mission. She described the screening at the Hiroshima International Film Festival as the realization of a long-held dream.
Director Preston explained that Ms. White’s creative style involves long, in-depth conversations with collaborators late into the night. However, the two never interfere with each other’s artistic roles, which allowed the director to maintain close proximity without hindering the authenticity of the documentary. As a result, the filming proceeded smoothly despite the intimate setting.
“Films take us to places we have never been,” Director Preston said. “In all my films, I make sure to include topics that must never be forgotten. This time, that meant the Hiroshima survivor paintings and the need to reflect on peace. Though the themes are painful, I wanted the finale to end on a bright light. What left the deepest impression on me was the way the story unfolded almost like a drama, even without a script, and how I encountered so many people who shared the same sensibilities. I hope this screening in Hiroshima will be the starting point for bringing the film to audiences around the world.”
Ms. Ogawa, who is also active in peace-building efforts, spoke about her own experiences. Through calligraphic art, she has interacted with many atomic-bomb survivors and listened to their stories. Believing in the importance of conveying the value of peace through calligraphy, she has traveled across Japan; it was during these travels that she met Ms. White, leading to their collaboration in which Ms. Ogawa contributes calligraphy to Ms. White’s artwork.
Director Preston shared that she continues to film Ms. White’s creative process even now. We look forward to seeing how her future films will unfold.