MDFF 2021 - With Flying Colours
The colourful true story of Australia's first female helicopter pilot, Rosemary Arnold, who shook the male dominated aviation industry and inspired a new generation of female pilots by using fashion to combat sexism.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Christina Hogarth
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Firstly, because Rosemary is such an incredible character! She is not only Australia's first female helicopter pilot, but a fashion icon and a trailblazer. Rosemary inspired generations of female pilots through nurturing and inspiring them.
I made this film to preserve the history of women in aviation, to encourage more women into flying, and to get Rosemary the recognition that she deserves.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
To learn about the pioneering aviatrixes who paved the way for women in aviation today, to see that age is just a number, and to understand that you can overcome adversity through being the best version of yourself.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Overcoming adversity and turning perceived weaknesses into strengths:
Rosemary overcame the barriers to becoming a pilot by using her skills as a dress maker to pay for her license and her sense of style to stand out as a female in a male dominated industry.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
New opportunities arose throughout filming that added different layers to the film ie. Rosemary's motivational speech at the Moorabbin Air League and conducting her final wedding.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Audience members have said that Rosemary has inspired them, and that they would like to try flying.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has made us feel that we have done something right because it is achieving what we set out to do.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Just to get the story out there and change people's lives for the better
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
An Aussie film distributor would be good.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To bring awareness and recognition to the trailblazing aviatrixes, and to encourage more women into aviation
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is the aviation industry like now for women?
Would you like to add anything else?
I promote the film using the With Flying Colours Facebook page and my personal FB page. As I co-composed the film score on my Ukulele, I use my IG music page @chrissy_ukulele to promote and tag festivals on Instagram.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Promoting the film to the festivals and taking a bit of a break
Interview: July 2021
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
With Flying Colours
Length:
53 minutes
Writer/Director/Producer
CHRISTINA HOGARTH is a commercial helicopter pilot and award winning filmmaker from Melbourne, Australia who currently resides in Los Angeles. Her films have played at festivals around the globe.
With Flying Colours is Christina's latest project that she wrote/directed/produced and scored on Ukulele (another creative passion) with fellow Australian composer, Liam Fox O'Brien.
This documentary was filmed in Australia and completed post production in Los Angeles. Christina hopes that the film will inspire more women to enter the aviation industry.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/With-Flying-Colours-104612751764405/
Hashtags used:
#womeninaviation #withflyingcolours #femalepilots #aviatrix #helicpoterpilot #helicopters
Where can I watch it now?
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival online July 1-31st
https://watch.eventive.org/mdff/play/60c17f92f69a8c0030284bfb