Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses

Belief explores the 2007 death of Wainuiomata mother Janet Moses during a mākutu lifting. It uses interviews and reenactments to explore a tragedy which writer/director David Stubbs believes was caused by "fear and love mixing and turning into hysteria". Five members of Janet’s family were charged after her death. Belief debuted at the 2015 NZ International Film Festival; a shorter version played on TV One. The NZ Herald's Peter Calder found it "compelling and heartbreaking". Stubbs was named Best Documentary Director at the 2017 Moa Awards. Kura Forrester (The Educators) plays Janet. Belief was funded by an NZ On Air/NZ Film Commission documentary fund.

This is a cautionary tale that I hope starts conversations around where spirituality sits in our community, and why many beliefs are still held secret.

– David Stubbs

Key Cast & Crew

William Davis

As: John

Tina Cook

As: Glenys

Kura Forrester

As: Janet Moses

Mathew Knight

Cinematographer

Thomas Robins

Producer

David Stubbs

Director, Writer, Producer