The House Within is a documentary film on the life and work of internationally acclaimed New Zealand writer Dame Fiona Kidman.
Directed by Joshua Prendeville, The House Within is the first documentary to explore the personal and literary legacy of Dame Fiona Kidman, one of New Zealand’s most respected and influential writers.
At 84, Kidman remained a towering figure in the country’s literary and cultural history. The film premiered on Saturday to a sold-out audience at the Auckland Writers Festival.
“The House Within is a project very close to my heart. It’s one that I feel was really important to do now, given Fiona’s immense contribution to the arts and social causes over her lifetime,” said Prendeville.
“Fiona has spent her life standing up for the rights of others and carving out a space for herself in industries where she was often the only woman in the room. The film is more than a portrait of a literary icon. It’s about the courage to speak one’s truths, and the personal toll of doing so.”
The House Within shines a light on a truly maverick writer who overcame innumerable obstacles to establish her voice and place in the world of literature, and the cost of standing by those values over a lifetime.
The film explores the profound ways in which life and fiction become inextricably braided over time, tracing the deeply personal experiences that have shaped her voice and vision.
Offering an intimate window into Kidman’s fascinating and often tumultuous journey, the film captures her reflections on private losses, formative struggles, and the fire that drove her to tell stories that have resonated with readers worldwide.
Ahead of its nationwide theatrical release on the 17th of July, check out the highly anticipated trailer for The House Within.
