Louise Lever

A movie director who explores feminism and asks challenging questions. Her recent movie, Revolt She Said, was nominated for ‘Best Documentary’ in the New York Independent Film Festival.

Can you introduce yourself?

I’m a film director, and I also work a day job as a copywriter. I make the kinds of films I want to see – women’s stories and those from the LGBT community interest me the most. My aim is to connect powerful ideas to audiences. My latest film, Revolt She Said, looks at why feminism hasn’t progressed far enough and features former Right Honourable Helen Clark, ONZ and Alison Mau. It is nominated for Best Documentary in the New York City Independent Film Festival 2021. I hold a MFA (Hons) from Elam and have also completed Sue Maslin’s Creative Leadership workshop in Melbourne.

What role does creativity play in your life?

Creativity is everything. It’s my blood force (after coffee!) I need inspiration from books and songs. Music is huge for me – I love all kinds of really eclectic stuff and at the moment am loving Sharon van Etten. I find creativity in the small moments,

like having a coffee or going for a run. I really do enjoy reading and at the moment on my bedside table I’ve got The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw, Fifty Years a Feminist by Sue Kedgley and The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro.

In your recent documentary movie Revolt She Said you explore feminism. Can you tell us about the movie?

The film takes issue with the lack of progress in feminism. I discovered through my research at several archives in Melbourne (which is where I made the film) that the protest images I was looking at were protesting exactly the same issues we see today. After being at the archives, I would literally walk down Swanston St and see Radical Women protesting abortion or similar issues. It was surreal and impossible to ignore. “Where’s the real progress” was what Alison Mau voiced in her interview and for me that was a turning point for me. That stuck in my head. It clarified some of the issues I'd been working my way through.

It was a true honour to interview Helen Clark. She gave me these great personal stories and I lapped it all up. It was surreal to get that interview and was a big deal. I remember the morning I was going to meet her and could only have a coffee and some dry toast I was that nervous. Of course she was lovely and warm. She’s an extraordinary person and is a true advocate and fighter for women. I had the best time!

Could you share what inspired you to make this movie?

I was living in Melbourne and there was an old camera we didn’t use at work. I asked to borrow it in the weekends and began filming and interviewing older lesbians in the community about their lives. Then Hillary Clinton happened and the global women’s marches. I was compelled so I followed my heart and started interviewing women about the feminist movement and it went from there. It took me 3 years to make because I worked full time as well.

What was challenging to make this movie? Have you struggled to get it done?

Challenges included getting funding or finding the money. I was fortunate to receive some local community grants and corporate sponsors, which kept me going. It was so great to meet Carole from the Women’s Bookshop and get her backing – she’s a great character and women who helped with my Auckland

premiere. Also Commonsense Organics in Mt Eden helped and the Department of Post did my DCP for free. I definitely was supported along the way but I pushed through. Fleur Revell-Devlin from Impact PR did the most incredible job promoting it, getting me on the news and into papers. She was a total legend and we will continue to work together.

Can you share some of the positive and negative responses from those who saw it?

The responses from the film have been great. I love hearing from the audience about how it opened discussions in their family or flats about gender and feminism. People often go away thinking, ‘I didn’t see it that way,’ or, ‘I didn’t know about that.’

It’s a great feeling to have opened up an ongoing conversation. We had a panel discussion for the Raye Freedman Arts Centre screening, and I had wonderful women on that – in particular, Sandi Hall – and some interesting ideas came from that, including that women today still have to introduce themselves with Ms, Miss or Mrs in front of a judge as a lawyer whereas a man can simply say his last name, ie, Smith represents X. Sandi talked about how in the 70s her book contract from London wasn’t seen as legal here because it used the term ‘her’ (I think that was it), and how that wasn’t a legal term then and wasn’t recognised in law at the

time.

We have come a long way!

When we are having complex debates in public around gender and feminism, it’s so vital not to “other” those we don’t agree with. It’s totally okay to be friends with someone you don’t share 100% of your views with. When we other, we distance ourselves and easily revert to “them” – their problem, those “TERFs” – and yet, each of those speaking are social atoms, constructed of an era, a time, unique experiences, education, a specific perspective. I see my interviewees not as simply individuals, but as moments in a collective consciousness. In this context way, I can make space and hold differing views from my own. In this space, we can collectively move forward as team human rather than bicker or say it’s “them.”

Your movie is nominated for ‘Best Documentary’ in the New York Independent Film Festival. Congratulations! What was it like to find that out, and what does it mean for you?

It means a lot – It’s very nice being recognised after such a long slog! I have put in so many hours... I couldn’t say how many, but a lot! Often in Melbourne I would work a full day at my job, log off, then edit until about 11pm at night.

That went on for months on end. It was hard and I loved it and hated it, was dog tired and knew I had to push it through to the end.

What’s your take on feminism?

For me personally there’s nothing radical about wanting women to have equality and parity. I see slights happen daily. I often am “told off” by men. When I was crossing the road to get a coffee, a guy actually stopped his car in the middle of the road, rolled down his window to tell me “the crossing is just up there” in a

very condescending way. Would he have stopped a man? It’s horrific that in 2021 we don’t have things like equal pay. I think everyone should be a feminist and we have a long way to go. I’m really optimistic, especially about the generation coming up. All it takes are small actions and gestures, like that day on the bus with Rosa Parks.

We need to keep fighting and make sure we are still making gains. It’s vital for everyone – men especially. Men need to change their expectations of their girlfriends and wives. Dinner is not a given when you come home. It’s about saying, “Right, I can do something here.” and getting it done. It is time for men to

step up. Violence against women is mostly perpetuated by men. It’s not another thing that women have to alter about their behaviour. It is simply wrong and we need to acknowledge we have a big problem here in Aotearoa. I was first introduced to feminism via art history at my school EGGS and that was a revelation. We were told at that school that girls could do anything and it was something I really believed. My first job after university was in advertising and I really experienced sexism – I was made to “get the coffee.”

Have you ever experienced difficulties in your profession because you are a woman?

Not directly. I have been in the very fortunate position of having strong independent women supporting me and holding me up. I surround myself purposely by strong women. Recently I’ve been working with an actor and we are writing something together, and through her I feel so much stronger. Being taken under someone’s wing is a really special thing and I’m so grateful to

have that in my life.

What do you think we humans collectively must do to achieve equity?

Men need to step up. In terms of care, housework and giving women more leadership roles in companies and decision making. The lack of women in politics (at the top) is another big one. We don’t need to place any more pressure on women, we have clearly done enough – it’s time for men to say, yeah fair enough,

and get out of our way!

What are your plans for future works? Are you currently working on new movies?

I’m working on a new documentary about the female gaze in cinema and also am writing something with my lead actor.

Where do you get your energy to stay creative and focused?

I read a lot and take time out to do active things. I’m into running, boxing and swimming. Sometimes I’ll just sit in the steam room at the pools or wander around a Westfield or Kmart, up and down the aisles aimlessly. I’ve always done that. Or take a long drive somewhere. I like to be in motion.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

This is a tough question as there’s so much to change! For me, it would be to empower young girls and get rid of the saying ‘little girl’ as we don’t say ‘little boy.’ Girls don’t have to be nice or good. I want them to know they are more powerful than they think and they can truly do anything. They can be adventurous, and mean, and tough, and athletic and strong. My hope lies with the amazing new generation, while also acknowledging the brilliant work the suffragettes did for us so we can enjoy the kinds of rights we have today. The world is ready for smart and intelligent young women – we definitely need them to keep fighting the good fight.