Is the movie An Angel at My Table (1990) based on a true story?

Yes, the movie An Angel at My Table (1990) is based on the autobiographical works of New Zealand author Janet Frame.

What is the true story behind the movie An Angel at My Table (1990)?

The movie An Angel at My Table (1990) is based on the autobiography of New Zealand author Janet Frame, titled “An Angel at My Table.” The movie tells the story of Frame’s life, from her childhood in a poor family in rural New Zealand to her struggles with mental illness as an adult and her eventual success as a writer.

Frame had a difficult childhood, growing up in a family of five children with a violent and abusive father. However, she found solace in writing and poetry, which she pursued even as she struggled with poverty and mental illness.

In the 1940s, Frame was wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent eight years in mental institutions, undergoing various forms of treatment including electroshock therapy. However, during this time she continued to write and was eventually released when her writing gained recognition.

Frame went on to publish several novels and collections of short stories, becoming one of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers. She was awarded numerous literary prizes, including the prestigious Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in 1989.

The movie An Angel at My Table was directed by Jane Campion and starred Kerry Fox as Janet Frame. It was well-received by critics and won several awards, including the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.