A special Q&A screening of No Tears on the Field was held at the Regent Theatre Te Awamutu last week. Photo: Jesse Wood
No Tears on the Field is an unscripted story of pioneers, triumph, loss and passion in the world of women’s rugby.
A pre-release screening of the Taranaki-made film was held at the Regent Theatre Te Awamutu last week.
Producer and director Lisa Burd said there were certainly tears while making the documentary.
The movie highlighted the commitment involved in Taranaki women’s club rugby and the backstories of several players, including the top international women’s sevens try scorer in history Michaela Brake (nee Blyde).
Atalya Fakavamoeanga and Lisa Burd answer questions in the Q&A session with Madmen Entertainment’s Gorjan Markovski. Photo: Jesse Wood
Burd and Tukapa women’s player (now Stratford) Atalya Fakavamoeanga were there to meet viewers and answer questions following the film.
“Thanks a million for coming. It means the world. We took three years to make this film. I hope you love it. It’s a bit of a roller coaster,” Burd said.
“I’m born and bred in Taranaki; it was a good excuse to showcase your province. Te Awamutu is similar in a way, without the mountain.”
The movie was made in association with Madmen Entertainment and their New Zealand theatrical sales manager Gorjan Markovski was there to MC the Q&A.
He posed questions to Burd and Fakavamoeanga before opening the floor to the audience.
“I’ve played with and against all the girls on the film, and I’ve met some of my best friends, my lifelong friends there as well,” Fakavamoeanga said.
“You’ve got a family on the field, you’ve got a family off the field, and you get to play your favourite sport together every week.”
Burd provided insight as to why she chose the subject – even though she’s not a rugby enthusiast.
“I was working for the Taranaki Daily News and I was told to go photograph these girls playing rugby. I didn’t know that was still going on,” Burd said. “I was taking photos and this woman was running straight at me – she was just not going to stop.
Atalya Fakavamoeanga and Lisa Burd after the special screening at the Regent Theatre Te Awamutu. Photo: Jesse Wood
“I clicked a photo and I just knew I needed to know more about how she got to be so strong and resilient. I needed to know what went on behind the scenes.”
As Burd tours around the countryside with her movie, she also takes a better understanding of farmers and of women in rugby.
“You see behind the scenes in the farming world and then girls rugby – what a good combo,” Burd said.
“I went on a quad bike and got behind the scenes in the countryside – 100 hours later, we got the 90 minutes out of the way.
“It’s a good little story about grassroots rugby that needs to be told. This is a good platform start the ball rolling with a bit more support for the girls.”