A Death in the Family

Peter Wells and Stewart Main’s acclaimed drama screened in primetime and was ground-breaking in featuring AIDS. Wells' script is based on the death of one of his friends — one of the first New Zealanders to die from the disease — but the living are the focus, as Wells creates an intimate “strange and foreign land” occupied by those close to someone who is dying. Andy’s friends confront both their own mortality and the deadly new disease stalking their community, while his conservative family grapples with never having come to terms with his sexuality. The excerpt features the opening 10 minutes. 

Fear, the selfishness of fear, that’s what it’s all about. When you’re frightened, you only think of yourself. To help someone, you have to forget that, think of them.

– Simon (Jon Brazier)

Key Cast & Crew

James Wallace

Producer

Simon Prast

As: Ben

Alan Locke

Cinematographer

Peter Wells

Co-Director, Writer

Stewart Main

Co-Director

Jon Brazier

As: Simon