If you watch a film at movie theatre in Japan, the most remarkable part of the experience, I was once told by Jeff Guild, is seeing the audience respectfully sit and watch the entire credits roll, before spontaneously breaking into a round of applause at the end. Perhaps it’s a cultural appreciation for the value of the collective efforts of the many, as opposed to a singular focus on the achievements of the few. They say it takes a ‘a cast of thousands’ to make a film, and having been involved in two now, I understand this, as I can see all of the various different people and skill-sets, including the Directors of Photography, Sound Technician, Line Producers, Editors, Colorists, post-production Sound Bed team, Composers, Orchestra, Studio and so on it goes.
It was fantastic to see our Director Ruán Magan, winning the award for Best Feature Film, at the Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival. Ruán Magan is a gifted and experienced director, who had to work in close quarters with me for 2 years, which can’t have been easy, while trying to wrestle an ambitious concept and collection of ideas into a cohesive and beautiful film, which he did with dedication, vision and artistry. To Brian O’ Leary and Oliver Hegarty our Directors of Photography who endured altitude sickness in the searing sun of San Pedro to Casta in the Andes mountains, filming amidst the chaos of water fights on the streets of Siem Reap in Cambodia during Lunar New Year celebrations, and sub-zero temperatures on the frozen shores of Lake Nemaska in Northern Quebec. All with tireless good humour.
Juangus Dinsmore, won the award for Best Editor, at Golden Gate International Film Festival! Hurrah!
Anna Rice won the award for Original Score at and we also picked up the award for best animation! I am delighted to see this recognition for the team that helped create a film that is now taking on a life of its own.
To our academy award winning support team including, Douglas Blush and Ben Shedd, whose subtle guidance and voice of experience at critical points was essential to the creative process. If I could give an award, it would be to the singular Aoife Kelleher, our Producer, who was my constant companion and collaborator on this journey.
Finally, to our key partners on this project, whose support enabled us to create Our Blue World and associated Brave Blue World Foundation Impact Campaign.
Water Environment Federation, Sciens Capital Management, Procter & Gamble, AB InBev, GRUNDFOS, Yokogawa and Impact Partners, Water.org, WWF and Imagine H2O.
And as those credits roll a round of applause for the extended team… 👏
Hope Frank John Richardson Windmill Lane
