Celia

Celia Lashlie wasn’t afraid to speak up… this film was her last chance to do so.

After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis in late 2014, Celia asked her friend, award-winning journalist Amanda Millar to film the final year of her life to ensure her unfinished work could go on. In February 2015, Amanda was summonsed to bring a camera to Celia’s home for what turned out to be the only interview for this film. Two days later, Celia passed away.

Celia presents the transformational effect of this one charismatic woman in the lives of some of the most at-risk people in the country. This film represented her last chance to not only open up about her life and work but also share her vital messages about how to change the lives of those involved in New Zealand’s appalling violence, child mortality, prison and suicide statistics.