Ode to the Land: Tales of Wiltshire
︎︎︎Tilt to enlarge video, Click arrows to navigate
‘Ode to the Land’ was shot on super8 and completed during the 1st lockdown. I intended to provide an experience for people to collaborate and come together and also to create a film documenting our connection to our surroundings, which I feel was heightened during this time period. It is a representation of people and place, and specifically the place I come from, Wiltshire. Growing up, I worked at Stonehenge and it was during this time that I developed a passion and great interest for the rich and ancient history of Wiltshire. I was lucky enough to meet many interesting and knowledgeable people who passed on their insights and tales. I feel a strong connection to the landscape and history of Wiltshire, and wanted to recreate this feeling. I couldn't do this without the help of the people who had informed and influenced my feelings towards this place, so I invited them to collaborate with me to create a portrait and what could perhaps be described as a celebration of the land. ︎︎︎
‘Ode to the Land’ was shot on super8 and completed during the 1st lockdown. I intended to provide an experience for people to collaborate and come together and also to create a film documenting our connection to our surroundings, which I feel was heightened during this time period. It is a representation of people and place, and specifically the place I come from, Wiltshire. Growing up, I worked at Stonehenge and it was during this time that I developed a passion and great interest for the rich and ancient history of Wiltshire. I was lucky enough to meet many interesting and knowledgeable people who passed on their insights and tales. I feel a strong connection to the landscape and history of Wiltshire, and wanted to recreate this feeling. I couldn't do this without the help of the people who had informed and influenced my feelings towards this place, so I invited them to collaborate with me to create a portrait and what could perhaps be described as a celebration of the land. ︎︎︎
Wight Night
The narrative to the screen dance film ‘Wight Night’ is loosely based on the legend of the Devil’s Dyke. The legend says the devil was furious at the conversion of the people of the Weald to Christianity and decided to dig a dyke through the South Downs, so the sea could flow in and drown their villages. To make sure his efforts were not discovered until it was too late, he decided to dig it over a single night. However, his work woke an old woman, who lit a candle. This then woke her cockerel, who began to crow. Seeing the light and hearing the cockerel, the devil was fooled into thinking it was dawn, rushed off with his work uncompleted and the Weald was saved.
Creating a new vision of the story through movement, and playing with the switch in power between the villagers and the devil, the performance concludes with a potential sacrifice and succumbing of the devil’s character. The idea was to find a way to create a performance that could be connected with the stories of the natural surrounding landscape. The history and meaning of the land was a big factor in writing the script.
The film was a collaboration by two groups of students from Central Saint Martins and The London Contemporary Dance School, and was shot on Bolex, 16mm. The film has been selected to be part of the NEW SHORTS: A Rural Gothic category at the London Short Film Festival 2021. www.shortfilms.org.uk/aruralgothic
︎︎︎
Creating a new vision of the story through movement, and playing with the switch in power between the villagers and the devil, the performance concludes with a potential sacrifice and succumbing of the devil’s character. The idea was to find a way to create a performance that could be connected with the stories of the natural surrounding landscape. The history and meaning of the land was a big factor in writing the script.
The film was a collaboration by two groups of students from Central Saint Martins and The London Contemporary Dance School, and was shot on Bolex, 16mm. The film has been selected to be part of the NEW SHORTS: A Rural Gothic category at the London Short Film Festival 2021. www.shortfilms.org.uk/aruralgothic
︎︎︎
The Knitting Club
The story focuses on Margareta, who lives in Hackney and runs the knitting club. The very first time I met Margareta, she ordered a Guinness in the pub I work at, as she was attending her fortnightly knitting club meet-up. I could tell, instantly that she seemed to possess the most compelling and vibrant character. I felt a yearning to be part of their conversations and tales in the club, rather than the fleeting words we exchanged across the bar, subdued by the hubbub of the surrounding punters. We were looking for storytellers and conversationalists and the ladies of the knitting club in the Clapton Hart Pub, were as anticipated, the perfect candidates.
The film was shot on 16mm black and white and hand developed. It was the winner for the best short documentary at the UK Film Festival 2020.
︎︎︎
The film was shot on 16mm black and white and hand developed. It was the winner for the best short documentary at the UK Film Festival 2020.
︎︎︎
Equivalence
This film was inspired by Peter Tscherkassky and David Crosswaite’s use of a split screen and focusses on two characters and how they are viewing the land around them. The film was created in a very spontaneous manner and features a visit to the sites Avebury and Silbury hill. Shot on Bolex, 16mm.