Aotearoa

Ms. Information

For much of the confined population, regular media appearances by scientist Siouxsie Wiles were a calming and enlightening presence amid the fear and confusion of Covid-19. While she was cooly urging the populace not to panic, Siouxsie herself was the target of hate and hysteria from certain groups who took issue with her work protecting the population’s health.

“What is the world’s problem with women like me?” the microbiologist wonders in this candid fly-on-the wall documentary covering the pressure-filled two-year period from the first appearance of the virus. An influx of interviews establishes the unmistakable Siouxsie as a goto expert, earning her the grateful admiration of a worried public along with the misogynistic online abuse from an unfortunate few.

The camera tracks the scientist through both professional and personal life, following along on innumerable media meetings and watching her household brace for impact. Things take a darker turn when the toxic messaging grows to include harassing phone calls, vitriolic video messages and publication of the family’s home address.

There’s anger, there’s frustration and there’s anguish as Siouxsie is victimised for nothing less than trying to save lives. But through it all she laces up her great, glittery boots and presses forward with ferocity and heart. —

Adrian Hatwell

Screenings

Whangārei

A EVW Wed 23 Aug, 6.00 pm

Matakana MTK Mon 21 Aug, 5.30 pm

MTK Tue 22 Aug, 1.30 pm

Hamilton

B LID Mon 21 Aug, 4.40 pm

A LID Wed 23 Aug, 6.15 pm

Tauranga RIA Thu 17 Aug, 4.00 pm

RIA Sat 19 Aug, 10.45 am

Gisborne

A ODE Sat 2 Sep, 2.00 pm

Napier MTG Mon 14 Aug, 5.30 pm

Havelock North EVH Sat 19 Aug, 2.30 pm

New Plymouth

A LLC Tue 29 Aug, 6.30 pm

B LLC Thu 31 Aug, 4.00 pm

Palmerston North

B EVP Thu 31 Aug, 2.00 pm

A EVP Sun 3 Sep, 11.00 am

Masterton

A MAS Sat 26 Aug, 3.15 pm*

Director: Gwen Isaac

Aotearoa NZ 2023 | 100 mins

Producers: Alex Reed, Phillida Perry, Gwen Isaac

Cinematography: Gareth Moon

Editor: John Silvester

Animation: Ruben O’Hara

Music: David Long

With: Dr Siouxsie Wiles

Q&A: Gwen Isaac*