Cork Cinema Celebrates Jane Campion’s Impact with Film Season

Jane Campion, the acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker, is being celebrated in Cork with a special film season showcasing three of her most renowned works. The series, hosted by Triskel, includes screenings of The Portrait of a Lady on March 15, 2024, The Piano on March 16, 2024, and Holy Smoke on March 18, 2024.

Campion is recognized for her profound storytelling that resonates with the human experience, and she has paved the way for women filmmakers in a historically male-dominated industry. Notably, she was the first woman to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for her critically acclaimed film, The Piano, and the first female director to receive multiple Oscar nominations, eventually winning for The Power of the Dog.

Triskel’s head of cinema, Chris O’Neill, emphasized the significance of Campion’s contributions to the film industry. “In a world where we’ve only had three Oscar-winning female directors, and they’ve all been in pretty recent years, it feels like she smashed that ceiling open a little,” he noted. O’Neill pointed out that prior to Campion’s nomination in 1994 for The Piano, it had been 17 years since a woman was nominated for an Oscar, with Lina Wertmüller being the previous nominee for Seven Beauties.

The Piano, which earned both critical acclaim and commercial success, is regarded as a cultural milestone. “It was a crossover movie,” O’Neill explained. “It was an art-house film that reached a mainstream audience, and it was hugely successful financially.”

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Campion’s feature debut was with Sweetie in 1989. She continued to create impactful films, including An Angel at My Table and Holy Smoke. Her work extends beyond film, with notable contributions to television, including the series Top of the Lake. Campion’s influence is further underscored by her recent Oscar win for The Power of the Dog, which starred Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, and Jesse Plemons.

The focus on Campion’s films coincides with a broader initiative at Triskel to spotlight significant directors. According to Sinead O’Riordan, an actor and producer, Campion has been a long-time advocate for gender equality in the film industry. “She has been outspoken about gender inequality in film, long before it became a conversation that we have nowadays,” O’Riordan stated. Her advocacy for women directors has helped catalyze discussions about systemic change within the industry.

Critics and audiences alike appreciate Campion’s exploration of complex emotional themes, as well as her unique storytelling style. Barry Monahan, a senior lecturer at the University College Cork’s School of Film, Music and Theatre, praised her ability to connect arthouse cinema with mainstream audiences. “One of the things that she’s managed to do is get very good box office takings, incredible critical acclaim, and her awards—say no more,” Monahan remarked, highlighting how she balances commercial success with artistic integrity.

Campion’s films delve into the intricacies of human emotions and societal norms, often presenting female characters in ways that defy traditional representations. Monahan explained, “She has found a way of creating cinema that just puts you in a different place.” This perspective allows audiences to engage deeply with the characters and narratives she crafts.

The upcoming screenings at Triskel represent not only a celebration of Jane Campion’s work but also a recognition of her lasting impact on the film industry. Her films continue to spark dialogue and provoke thought, aligning with the idea that cinema should inspire conversation and reflection. As audiences prepare for this film season, they will have the opportunity to revisit Campion’s significant contributions to cinema and explore the themes that continue to resonate today.