Obit: Acclaimed NZ Film-maker Kathy Dudding Dies

Kathy Dudding
B. 11-1-61
D. 21-08-10

(photo by Himiona Grace)

Wellington film-maker Kathryn Margaret Dudding died at Mary Potter Hospice on Saturday 21 August, after a short but fierce battle with lung cancer. Although Kathy had smoked in her teens and twenties, she had given up on becoming pregnant with her daughter Amohia over 20 years ago. Kathy faced her illness with the same determination she lived her life, fighting to the end.

Kathy was born in Te Kuiti and raised by her adoptive parents on a farm near Wellsford, the location of, and inspiration for, her second film, Hey Daisy (1983).

Her adventurous spirit manifested early - leaving home at 17, then heading to France at 19, she nannied for a French family while immersing herself in the counter-culture of the time, developing a political consciousness that would later surface in films such as Kanaky Au Pouvoir (1988) and Asylum Pieces (2010).

Identity, and family, were enduring concerns in both her professional and personal life, and she often used or referred to members of her family in her productions, such as Hey Daisy, the semi-autobiographical Smash Dupe (1985), The Return (2008), and the acclaimed Asylum Pieces.

Kathy’s passion, humour, and intelligence were not confined only to film but found an outlet in numerous spheres, from poetry and prose to academic commentary, receiving recognition in anthologies, publications, and conferences. Her erotic poetry exemplifies her unique combination of sensuousness and fun.

Kathy’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria University and a Master of Fine Arts from Massey University in Video Art. Her academic prowess was recognised in the awarding of a Fulbright Award in May 2010, which she used to travel to New York to present a paper at the Orphan Film Symposium.

Her filmography includes:

Pushing Up Daisies (1983)
Hey Daisy (1983)
Smash Dupe (1985)
Kanacky Au Pouvoir. Power To The Kanak People (1988)
Lilly In The House Of Lipsticks (2001)
Tra(Nz)Mission (Video Art, 2004)
“Vantv” Compilation (2005)
Holiday Wheels (2005)
The Return (2008)
Asylum Pieces (2010)

Kathy’s last film, Asylum Pieces, demonstrates an artist at the height of her powers, presenting a subject of great personal and social significance in a deeply moving and artistically ground-breaking way. It is nothing less than a tragedy that such a talent has been taken from us, but she has left a legacy of creative works that will continue to stimulate, challenge, and amuse.

Kathy is survived by her daughter Amohia, her mother Beverly, sisters Jenny and Eileen, and brothers Alan and Murray.

Friends and family are invited to farewell Kathy at the Wainuiomata Marae from 2pm Sunday (service at 10am Monday), and to celebrate her life at The NZ Film Archive, Taranaki St, Wellington from 3 pm on Monday.

Contact Julie Webb-Pullman email: jwebbp@gmail.com Mobile 0226818501

ENDS