Devils & Dust was written by screenwriter David Brechin-Smith as part of his 2015 Master of Arts at Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML).
The feature film script was described by its examiners as “completely gripping” and “an interesting and important story” that needs to be told.
Named in honour of David Carson-Parker and supported by Jeremy Commons through the Victoria University Foundation, the $3,000 prize is awarded annually to an outstanding student in the Master of Arts (Scriptwriting) programme at the IIML.
Devils & Dust is the story of a triangle of characters. Salman and Zahra are a refugee couple from an unnamed war in West Asia who have fled their country and are trying to make a new life in Auckland. When Lucy, a Kiwi soldier, returns home to a hero’s welcome Salman and Zahra recognise her as the soldier who killed their young son in a questionable incident in their home city. Salman’s desire for justice collides with Zahra’s need for a fresh start, while Lucy battles with her conscience and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
David is a respected screenwriter with one previously produced feature film (The Hopes And Dreams Of Gazza Snell) and a string of television drama credits to his name.
He says his decision to apply to the MA course was prompted by wanting to take the time to concentrate on a story he had wanted to write for a long time and his experience this year has bought everything into focus for him.
On receiving the David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize, he says he is flattered, honoured and proud of himself. He hopes to use some of the prize money towards a holiday where he hopes to start working on a new script idea.
Examiners of the winning script describe it as ‘a completely gripping forward-driving story with tight terse scenes that inexorably rack up tension’ and ‘moving and compelling … a page turner told with an assured sense of voice and craft.’
A second award was also made at the same ceremony.
The Brad McGann Film Writing Award was presented to Ali Burns for her feature film script Adah.
Named in honour of the late Brad McGann—writer and director of In My Father’s Den—the award is worth $2,800.
Adah is the story of a young woman who wins 500 years of extra life in a lottery, then must contend with the increased challenges of finding meaning in her life as she outlives everyone she knows.
Examiners described Adah as “original, fresh…a compelling idea with clear and cohesive storytelling”.
Ali says she was surprised to be awarded the Brad McGann Film Writing Award, but says she will now be able to keep working on her writing as a result.