Elizabeth Banks filming day 23 of A Mistake with director Christine Jeffs Photo: Nicola Dove
We all make mistakes, but can we accept our errors and take action before things start to unravel beyond our control?
In New Zealand director Christine Jeffs’ powerful new feature film A Mistake, adapted from the novel by Carl Shuker, American actor Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Pitch Perfect) plays a gifted surgeon dealing with the aftermath of an emergency surgery that went wrong. The reasons for the death that follow are complex, highlighting human fallibility and the responsibilities of everyone surrounding it.
Elizabeth Banks filming day 28 of A Mistake directed by Christine Jeffs Photo: Nicola Dove
A Mistake also looks at medical bureaucracy, the perils of PR, male managerial chauvinism and why we can’t hold surgeons to account for every death.
Jeffs makes a bold and smart adaptation for the screen of Shuker’s Ockham New Zealand book award nominated novel. Some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s finest acting talent are joined by some outstanding stars with Banks joined by Simon McBurney and Mickey Sumner.
Elizabeth Banks filming day 27 of A Mistake directed by Christine Jeffs Photo: Nicola Dove
It’s been 16 years since Christine Jeffs’ last feature, the excellent American indie Sunshine Cleaning, with Amy Adams and Emily Blunt. Before that was Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig.
A Mistake though feels like something of a return home for Jeffs, recalling her strong debut, 1989 feature Rain. Once again Jeffs is both directing and writing, adapting from a great New Zealand novel and soaking up the atmosphere of a Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland setting.
So why so long between features? Jeffs took a break to complete a master's degree in fine arts, examining the relationship between a photographer and their subject. The title of a resulting 2020 exhibition at gallery The Vivian Subject to Consent, arguably points towards the film ahead.
Speaking with RNZ’s Culture 101, Jeffs also says she wasn’t offered the kind of projects in America that interested her enough.
Director Christine Jeffs with cinematographer John Toon filming day eight of A Mistake. Photo: Nicola Dove
Then there was the matter of her and partner cinematographer John Toon’s own serious brush with the health system and a case she says of ‘medical misadventure’. Jeffs says it helped inspire the choice of her next film project. She and Toons have worked together ever since her 1994 directing debut, the popular short film Stroke.
“I spent a lot of time in hospitals and it opened up my eyes as an advocate - as it does for many people who have family and friends spending time in these places - and I found it fascinating.
“Then I read Carl’s novel and it really triggered part of my own personal experience.”
A Mistake is in cinemas from 10 October.
