The late Barry Barclay [Ngati Apa] was one of New Zealand’s most respected filmmakers.  Before his death in February 2008, Barclay was interviewed for ScreenTalk about his early days working as a cameraman and director with John O’Shea’s legendary production company Pacific Films.

Barclay directed such landmark titles as Tangata Whenua, Ngati, and Feathers of Peace. He was also a long time campaigner for the right of indigenous people to tell their own stories, to their own people.

Barclay begins the interview by talking about Pacific’s contribution to Maori filmmaking, in particular with the Tangata Whenua series.

He also talks about:

• Pacific’s creative and independent spirit and how inspiring it was to work with director Tony Williams

• Directing the Pacific Films production Ashes - which starred a young Sam Neill as a conflicted priest

• Working on his first feature film Ngati

• Working with Pacific Films boss John O’Shea, and how O’Shea “didn’t really see skin colour”

• And what it was like being “Maori with a camera” in the early days of the Maori cultural renaissance

Note: There are some defects in the footage that come from the original master.

Graeme Tuckett’s documentary about Barry Barclay, The Camera on the Shore, premieres in July 2009 as part of the NZ International Film Festival.

NZ on Screen: Interview and Camera - Clare O’Leary and Monika Ahuriri. Editing - Alex Backhouse.