"It feels absolutely fantastic to be nominated. Especially since this casts the well-deserved spotlight on Jill. I am just so happy that she is no longer as "invisible" as she was," states Axel Grigor when asked about the nomination.
Axel Grigor directed, edited and produced the film that is about Jill Bilcock, Australia's most influential film editor. Among her work feature the films Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Road to Perdition, Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom, and The Dressmaker.
Axel Grigor will attend the film festival in Sydney, which will take place on Wednesday, December 5. Regardless of the outcome, he expresses how proud he is of the film and of the fact the film has already won other awards, one at the Adelaide Film Festival and one at the ATOM Awards.
What makes the film so special?
"Foremostly, Jill is such an interesting, exciting person, and many wonder how they could never have heard of her. What's more, the film provides an insight into the world of the film editor and features a great deal of archive and behind-the-scenes material. It's also highly entertaining," states Axel Grigor.
You mix the narrative with behind-the-scenes material: can you explain this?
"While presenting Jill's creative journey, I also wanted to depict the central role a film editor has in the creation of a film. I too have worked as a film editor - for almost 20 years - and have frequently been bothered by the ignorance surrounding our profession. Most seem to think that editing involves simply "cutting out" unwanted material in accordance with clear directives from the director or producer. That is not the case at all. The film editor has a tremendous influence on the film's narrative design, how the characters are presented and how the audience reacts. It is down to the film editor that a film becomes a film," concludes Axel Grigor.
See a trailer for the film: Jill Bilcock: Dancing the Invisible.