Film Screening: 'The Man in the Hat'

Watch a documentary about art dealer Peter McLeavey. Art dealer Peter McLeavey has run his gallery in the centre of Wellington for 40 years. His personal story (filmed by award-winning cinematographer Leon Narbey) is also the story of that part of the city where he lives and works. It is a film about a human being putting a stake in the ground, rather than a documentary about New Zealand art.

McLeavey talks about his life, including his peripatetic childhood around the North Island as the son of an Irish Catholic railway worker and his early love of art. He also discusses his determination from age 12 to visit Europe, discovering his New Zealand identity while living in London, and returning home to contribute to the country’s culture as one of its outstanding art dealers.

“There’s an airy feeling of existential inquiry floating through Luit Bieringa’s lovely portrait … the lyrical picture of McLeavey’s Wellington is interspersed with readings (by Sam Neill) from his correspondence with artists, and frank conversations with the man himself.” – Bill Gosden, Director, New Zealand International Film Festival

https://natlib.govt.nz/events/jan-and-luit-bieringa-collection