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Annie Goldson’s new documentary Brother Number One follows Olympian and Trans-Atlantic rowing champion, Rob Hamill on his journey to Cambodia to testify for the War Crimes Tribunal. His brother Kerry Hamill, was captured, tortured and killed by Khmer Rouge in 1978.

Brother Number One premieres at the NZ International Film Festival 2011.

In this QnA Goldson (Punitive Damage, Georgie Girl, An Island Calling) says she hopes the audience takes away from the film "an understanding of Cambodia, how hard it is to forgive, the horrors of genocide, a desire to learn more, an acceptance of how culpable we all can be."

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

I tend to be an early morning-er, and a late at night-er. It’s that coming-home-from-school time 3.30-4pm that I fall into lethargy and reach for the biscuit tin.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Classical but cool.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

I have to say I love working with soundtracks and music but a great thing about documentary is how varied the innumerable tasks are. Always stretching and learning.

How does your environment affect your work?

I seem to spend summers cooped up in hot dark editing rooms – sometimes a relief to get away from the heat, sometimes heartbreaking. All that sitting is not great for the back so pilates stretches are useful when I think about it. I don’t usually.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

I try for a balance, but the devil in film is in the detail, so I’m pretty obsessive.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Not giving up my day job!

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

I’m always a bit of serial monogamist so it is usually my most recent. Brother Number One it is.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

I have to say many of the Cambodians I met while filming – Youk Chhang and Theary Seng and Kulikar Sotho (all in the film).

Tell us a bit about your background

Been making docs for about 20 years now (eek) and am a prof at University of Auckland.

Tell us a bit about the film (inception to conception)

Brother Number One follows Kiwi rower Rob Hamill to Cambodia where he attends the war crimes tribunal, giving what is called a Victim’s Statement.

His brother Kerry was tortured and killed by the Khmer Rouge (an ultra-Maoist cult Government) in 1978 after being snatched from his yacht while cruising the hippie trail up through Asia.

As well as attending court, Rob meets survivors and perpetrators of the regime, and we travel to areas still sympathetic to the KR. 

There is a saying “every Cambodian has a story” and within the film we explore that tennant, getting to know the Cambodians we naturally work with learning about the history through their stories.

What do you hope the audience takes away from it?

An understanding of Cambodia, how hard it is to forgive, the horrors of genocide, a desire to learn more, an acceptance of how culpable we all can be.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

A doctor for ‘medicins sans frontieres’?

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Rangitoto and New York City

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

Walking around Westmere in the early morning with my iPod, stopping off from my morning takeaway from my favourite coffee guy in Cox’s Creek.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

A mess – was never very good at craft things.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Keep your eyes on the prize.

What's great about the NZ International Film Festival?

Love it all. A glimpse at the world, past and present, real and fiction, a visual and audio feast.

What’s your big idea for 2012?

Having a cup of tea and a lie-down?

Further information:

Brother Number One is part of the the Framing Reality section in the NZIFF and will play in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

The NZ International Film Festival runs in Auckland from July 14-31, Wellington July 28-August 14, Dunedin August 4-21, and Christchurch August 12-28.