On Friday I visited the inaugural Bournemouth International Film Festival, where there was a double bill of my recent behind the scenes documentary “A Sketch of a Temperament: The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved” and “The Well Beloved” film itself.
This project has been a joy to work on. A couple of years ago I was approached by Ann Marie Goldthorp to produce The Well Beloved, but I didn’t feel I could commit it. Instead I asked if I could join them occasionally, as I was intrigued by Rose Goldthorp’s approach of making period drama on iPhones (under the banner of Wessex Dramas). The subsequent documentary was shorter than I originally intended. I thought there would be plenty of drama and chaos, but it was generally well-mannered and devoid of arguments. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the spirit of what they were accomplishing; deeply ambitious community filmmaking.
I am glad that the films are both out in the world. The Goldthorps have already shot two more features since I made the documentary at the start of the year. They’re enviably prolific in a way that I really admire. Working with them has been a true inspiration.
The film festival itself was also a great success. My pal Steve McCarten (who I’ve had the joy of sharing many a Berlinale with) decided earlier this year that he’d like to sort a festival. Not a long run-up for such a complex event. Nevertheless, he too managed to achieve a deeply ambitious community project with BIFF and the result was a wonderful vibe. I am convinced that he will manage to build on this momentum and make a really wonderful contribution to the local filmmaking scene moving forward.
