Celia

At the heart of my being is the plight of women. This society that we spend millions of dollars on benefits, millions of dollars trying to stop child abuse, millions of dollars trying to stop family violence...and no one has said: 'turn to the mothers'. And so that's my thing: it is only in working with the mothers that we will get to save the lives of these children.

– Celia Lashlie

I am seeking to touch the nerves of middle class New Zealand, to get off their butts and understand how serious a problem we have.

– Celia Lashlie

Every child is born pure and filled with their own particular brand of magic.

– Celia Lashlie

Celia’s focus was always to listen then tell stories to help people recognise they can make the change for themselves. She wanted New Zealanders to take ownership of the social issues that face this country, rather than relying on politicians or government agencies to fix the problem.

– Celia director Amanda Millar, in an interview with website Flicks, 10 July 2018

Millar's film is timely, clear-eyed and necessary. Celia should be compulsory viewing for anyone who works in education, social services, incarceration or corrections in New Zealand. It is also an undeniably engrossing, entertaining and often surprisingly funny watch.

– Graeme Tuckett, in a Stuff review of Celia, 9 August 2018