Directing
Jane Oehr
Jane Oehr hails from Melbourne, Australia, where she began her journey as an actress before venturing abroad to enhance her craft. She joined BBC TV in London as a Trainee Director, where she produced insightful documentaries on cinema, including a noteworthy film on the influential French director Agnès Varda. After returning to Australia, Jane established herself as an independent director with her film *Tamu – The Guest*, which delves into the life of Australian artist Donald Friend during his time in Bali.
Her next significant project, *Niugini Culture Shock*, took her through Papua New Guinea and the Trobriand Islands, earning the Rouben Mamoulian Award for Best Film at the Sydney Film Festival in 1975. Jane’s film *Stirring*, a provocative documentary on corporal punishment in a Sydney boys' school, faced censorship for years yet ultimately secured an AFI Award. She continued to challenge societal norms with *Seeing Red and Feeling Blue*, a film that explores women's bodies and menstruation, dispelling long-held myths.
In addition to documentaries, Jane has crafted drama, including low-budget features *On the Loose* and *Heads 'n Tails*, and directed *The Journey*, a telemovie for the Children’s Television Foundation and ABCTV. In 2002, she created the poignant *MUM AT 88*, an intimate exploration of her mother’s life. As a Project Manager with the Australian Film Commission, she has played a crucial role in nurturing emerging filmmakers. Throughout her career, Jane has remained dedicated to exploring human behavior and emotion, producing deeply personal films that resonate with audiences.
Filmography