PARK CITY, Utah – Lucy Lawless, the New Zealand-born actress known for her roles in “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Battlestar Galactica,” has taken on a new venture as a director. Lawless premiered her documentary, “Never Look Away,” at the Sundance Film Festival. The film tells the story of Margaret Moth, a fellow New Zealander and former CNN camerawoman who fearlessly documented combat zones in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Israel. Moth’s resilience and dedication, even after surviving a sniper’s bullet to the jaw during the Bosnian War, captivated Lawless.
Lawless received an email from Joe Duran, a former CNN cameraman, pitching the idea for a documentary about Moth. Intrigued by Moth’s story, Lawless responded quickly, offering to produce the film. Duran, sensing Lawless’ connection to Moth’s journey, suggested she also direct it. Lawless was compelled to tell Moth’s story, and after two years of hard work, the documentary is now premiering at Sundance.
Lawless, known for her work in sci-fi and fantasy genres, admits she never saw herself fitting into the indie film world represented at Sundance. However, her passion for Moth’s story and the opportunity to shed light on an unexplored facet of her own career prompted Lawless to embrace this new chapter. She reflects on the experience of directing, particularly the process of recreating Moth’s war injuries, a collaboration with New Zealand-based special-effects company Wētā Workshop.
“Never Look Away” delves into the question of what drove Moth to put herself in harm’s way repeatedly. The documentary paints a more complete picture of Moth than she could provide herself, drawing on testimonials from friends, colleagues, and relatives. Lawless strives to honor Moth’s profession and introduce her to the world as an “outrageous, outstanding character.”
Lawless, having completed “Never Look Away,” has set her sights on directing a scripted feature film. She aims to shift her focus to everyday people and explore new stories beyond the realms of genre roles. The response to her documentary at Sundance has left her delighted and grateful, but Lawless emphasizes the importance of staying true to her own artistic vision rather than seeking external approval.
Overall, Lawless’s foray into directing demonstrates her passion for storytelling and her ability to embrace new challenges. With “Never Look Away,” she sheds light on the remarkable life of an unsung hero, engaging audiences with a captivating and inspiring tale of resilience and determination.