Unconditional Love

A MEMOIR OF FILMMAKING AND MOTHERHOOD by the director of The Dressmaker

'Unconditional Love is a shining example of the strength of mothers. Jocelyn's sensitivity and humour made me fall in love with her passion for filmmaking and her family. Her resilience is inspiring and beautiful.' Nicole Kidman

'A truly wonderful book, a heartfelt achievement. I read it over two days, unable to put it down.' Jane Campion

'A beguiling memoir, written from the heart, revealing a life lived truly.' Cate Blanchett

I want to write about being a mother, and about raising four extraordinary kids. Being their parent is like having an intense love affair with four people at the same time. And I want to write about making movies and writing screenplays. I come from a long line of storytellers.

Jocelyn Moorhouse grew up with adoring parents and siblings. She knew early on that she wanted to be a filmmaker, and her dreams were encouraged by her family and by her teachers.

Meeting P.J. Hogan, becoming parents and filmmakers together, was a turning point. But when they discovered that two of their children were autistic, Jocelyn's life turned upside down. In Unconditional Love, she writes with humour and intelligence about her fears and hopes for her children, the highs and lows in her international career, about Hollywood and home, and about her love for what she does best – filmmaking and motherhood.

Jocelyn Moorhouse, award-winning screenplay writer and film director, was born in Melbourne in 1960. She has directed numerous films, including Proof, How to Make an American Quilt, A Thousand Acres and The Dressmaker. She has produced some of her husband P.J. Hogan's films, including Muriel's Wedding and Mental. They have four children, two of whom are autistic.

'[A]n inspirational read...Moorhouse and Hogan's lives are testament to the imperative sacrifices of parenthood...Stories like [these] are crucial to our understanding of what being a mother means in our modern society.' Readings Monthly

'Through deeply personal ruminations about herself and her family, the director makes the point that being a great artist is never as important as being a good human being.' Guardian

'[Jocelyn] lays bare her soul ... she writes frankly about the challenges associated with being a mum and a career woman. ... It's a heartfelt account you'll want to finish in one sitting.' Age