Renowned filmmaker James Cameron has voiced his apprehensions about the prospect of Donald Trump securing a second term as President of the United States. Cameron, who has been a resident of New Zealand for some time, expressed relief at his impending acquisition of New Zealand citizenship, a development that seems especially timely given his discontent with the current political climate in America.
"I think it’s horrific, I think it’s horrifying … I see it as a turn away from everything decent.”
Cameron plans to film all his future projects in Wellington, New Zealand, where he has already been working with the acclaimed Weta Digital on his "Avatar" films. Weta Digital, known for its Oscar-winning visual effects, has been an integral part of Cameron's filmmaking journey. This move to New Zealand aligns with his long-standing plans to permanently relocate there, a decision bolstered by his ownership of a large dairy farm in South Wairarapa since 2012.
The filmmaker perceives America's current state under Trump's presidency as a departure from its historical values. In contrast, he finds comfort in the cultural similarities between New Zealand and his native Canada.
“I grew up in Canada, and I see a lot of similarities here in the way people behave. I actually like it here a little better. There’s an innate respect and a demand for respect. Everybody has this kind of equal status in terms of personhood. And I love that – that’s what I wanted my kids to experience.”
Cameron hopes to contribute significantly to New Zealand's film industry by bringing in "some young blood." His commitment to making Wellington the hub of his cinematic ventures underscores his admiration for the region and its people.
“I’m sort of speaking on behalf of a big international production, but I’m a resident here, I’ll be a citizen in a year and I plan on making all my films here in Wellington. I love working here. I love the people that I get to work with here,”
Cameron's journey toward New Zealand citizenship has been marked by effort and sacrifice. He believes that becoming part of a community requires investment and earning one's place.
“It’s something I’ve worked toward, something I’ve had to sacrifice for. If you’re going to uproot your family and move somewhere, you have to invest, you have to be part of it, you have to earn standing. I just think you’ve got to earn your right to be in a place.”