Jane Castle is a woman of sweeping talents: cinematographer, artist, poet, film-maker, activist. She is also the daughter of pioneer female director Lilias Fraser. It is only now, as a mature woman, and with Lilias long gone (she died in 2004) that Castle has felt ready to tell the story, not just of her mother, but of their complex and difficult relationship.
When the Camera Stopped Rolling follows a loosely chronological order, taking us back to Lilias’s early life, and her development as film director. As a woman born in 1930, and reaching adulthood in the 50s, trying to break into film-making was not easy. Let’s be honest: for most women it still isn’t. At one stage she is told that the camera would be “too heavy” for her to carry!
Castle allows her camera to bear witness to her mother’s struggles without comment or judgement. She stands back as neutrally as possible whilst moving the story to where Lilias meets Norman Castle, her future husband and Jane’s future father. Once Jane herself makes an appearance, the story becomes even more personal, exploring the intricacies and difficulties of the mother-daughter relationship.
This feature manages to do much in a fairly short space of time, whilst retaining a gentle, flowing, rhythm. Here is the fight of women in the film industry in the 50s and beyond; here is an abusive relationship; here is early activism, with Fraser making the first film to explore Indigenous land rights; here is the bitter-sweet experience of becoming closer to a mother as she descends into dementia.
Castle’s eye is sweeping yet intimate; her tone is both angry and compassionate; her stance is one of knowing and not-knowing. She takes the audience on a journey with her to self-acceptance, and acceptance of the mother: both this particular mother, and the mother as universal trope. And throughout she retains a pace that keeps up interest, without rushing. Kudos too, to Ray Thomas whose editing is pitch-perfect.
When the Camera Stopped Rolling has already garnered critical and popular praise since it was chosen for Sydney Film Festival in 2021. And no wonder. This is that rare creature: a documentary which informs, entertains, and is ultimately as moving as a feature drama.
When the Camera Stopped Rolling releases nationally on April 21st
Click here for more information
A moving and beautiful documentary work 4.5 stars
More News
