Other Halves

I am getting the impression that a lot of New Zealand women feel very strongly about Sue McCauley's book . . .  Liz learns to fulfill her needs and herself, she learns who she is in this film. She learns in a most unconventional way with this boy, Tug, whose sense of directness and honesty, whose stance against the world is a very aggressive "I'll do it my way." She tempers that in him, but he also allows her to see that she's capable of doing that herself.

– Lisa Harrow on her character of Liz, Onfilm, June 1984, page 11 (volume 1, issue 4)

Where will you go?

– Liz (Lisa Harrow) after learning Tug (Mark Pilisi) is about to leave the psychiatric hospital, in the excerpt

Shot when New Zealand was still touted as an egalitarian, non-racist society, Other Halves depicts insidious class and racial conflicts. Social services are either ineffective or obstructive and police are often brutal and racist. Issues of gender and sexuality are also explored, with none of the men, whatever their class, age and race, caring for monogamy.

– Writer Helen Martin, in 1997 book New Zealand Film 1912 - 1996, page 105

He's progressive. He says that sex is just another kind of communication. Like shaking hands all round. He says I'm repressed and uptight. He says silence was his way of protecting me. But I was desperate to know the truth. I talked all the time. He says talk is irrelevant and misleading.

– Liz (Lisa Harrow) describes her husband to Dr Wray (Grant Tilly), in another scene in Other Halves

The city has been slightly futurised. But Auckland will get more like the film.

– John Laing, in 1984 booklet New Zealand Film Makers at the Auckland City Gallery: John Laing

I'm very proud of that film

– Actor Lisa Harrow, in her ScreenTalk interview for NZ On Screen

I was in the dummy's class at school, all of us was dumb, except me, I was dumbest... Can I do this? Check!

– Tug (Mark Pilisi) makes the winning chess move against Liz (Lisa Harrow), in the excerpt

I'm working with somebody who has no mask, no acting ego, no history to live up to in terms of a past career. He's an absolutely amazing natural actor and I will say he's one of the best actors I've ever worked with. I think it would be a great waste if he is allowed to just go away and never be an actor again . . .

– Actor Lisa Harrow praises her 16-year-old co-star Mark Pilisi, Onfilm, June 1984, page 11 (volume 1, issue 4)

A part like Liz just doesn't come every day. Mostly women's roles in films are sort of ciphers. They’re there for sex or decoration or some other piffling reason — the main action is going on where the fellas are. This one is not like that, the main action is going on with Liz.

– Actor Lisa Harrow on what attracted her to the film, Onfilm, June 1984, page 11 (volume 1, issue 4)

I was very concerned that what would obviously be something raw coming from him, would be very at odds with my highly schooled, highly technical, highly un-raw way of working . . . We were fortunate to have two weeks rehearsal with John Laing, the director, and the other boys . . .

– Actor Lisa Harrow on her initial worries about working with young actor Mark Pilisi, Onfilm, June 1984, page 11 (volume 1, issue 4)