From The River, A Documentary

by From The River in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Total raised £2,052

raised so far

45

supporters

We are looking for support (in return for rewards) in our documentation of the changing nature of Sailor's Creek in Flushing, Cornwall.

by From The River in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom

We're still collecting donations

On the 12th December 2021 we'd raised £1,669 with 39 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.


Synopsis

For millennia Sailor's Creek has been a haven for wildlife, boats and people. A tidal branch of the Penryn River, opposite to Falmouth, it is a place that is by turns magical and imposing, peaceful and chaotic, beautiful and ugly.

A dwindling number of human residents live off grid in the hulks of luggers, leisure yachts and fishing boats, many of which are in a state of advanced decay. The dangerous nature of the creek ensures that wildlife is free to make a home amidst the rust, rotten timber and fibreglass - untroubled by the heavy footfall that such a place would normally suffer, so close to an urban centre.

But change is fast approaching. After a tragic accident the creek has passed into new guardianship. A collective formed of local boat builders, environmentalists and developers have leased the land with a view to regeneration - making the creek safe for laying up and mooring boats, cleaning up the environmental impact caused by years of neglect, and working with the remaining residents to find solutions to their housing needs.

From the River tells the story of this unique and fascinating place, exploring what happens when the romantic ideal of living outside of societal norms meets the harsh realities of modern life - and the harsher realities of nature. 


Story

From the River will ask what it means to live an environmentally conscious life in modern Britain, and at what price do we compromise our beliefs.

We will explore how - in this era of rising tides and falling qualities of life - even common aims can generate misunderstanding and conflict between people.

We will look at the different situations that lead people to a life that most would consider brutal, and meet the people who have made this unique and unforgiving place their home - a home they will not readily leave.

Characters

We will talk to each of the stakeholders - past and current residents, the landowners, the new leaseholders Sailor's Creek CIC - to build up a portrait of the place past and present, capturing it at the cusp of change. 

We will interview experts on housing and the environment, exploring how local pressures on housing and services push people to the margins of society.

Yet it is the creek herself that is the most important character in the film. Everything that happens in our film is at the will and whim of her tides and weather. The creek controls the pace of life, the pace of our film, and the pace of change upon her banks. Ultimately we aim to tell this story From the River's point of view.

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The Crew

Paul Mulraney - Director, Producer, Composer

Paul has worked in the film and media industry for 2 decades as an art director, creative director and writer. He lectures at Falmouth University's School of Film and Television, teaching film practice, with a research interest in vernacular filmmaking and inequality in storytelling.

Thom Axon - Cinematographer, Editor, Producer

Thom has spent most of his working life at sea and now works as a photographer/ videographer and commercial drone pilot. Thom also occasionally works as a marine coordinator on film sets.

Andrew Edney - Sound Recordist and Mixer

Andy has worked in audio post-production for 15 years, initially based out of London he has recently moved to Cornwall and now works as a sound technician at Falmouth University.

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Ethics

It is an honour to document the fascinating stories - and draw out our own story - of Sailor's Creek. It has not seen such change for decades, perhaps centuries, and we have been incredibly fortunate to be here to document this change. 

Our approach to filming is slow and gentle, built on the understanding that any conflict that exists in our story comes from a disagreement about how a goal is reached - not what the goal is. For all of the parties involved love the Creek, all  have what they perceive to be the Creek's best interests at heart.

Everyone that contributes to this film has given their consent, we are here purely to document their current lives and intentions. All contributors will be closely involved with the filmmaking process as it progresses. Where anyone does not wish to be filmed we will, of course, respect their wishes.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our project. If you wish to learn more or contact us, please visit us at www.fromtheriver.co.uk.


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Rewards

This project offered rewards

£50 or more

VIP Red Carpet Event

Don your glad rags and come and join us for the premiere of the film. You'll get to enjoy a glass of bubbles before the showing too! Because you've pledged so much, we would love for you to have the rewards from the previous tiers too. Thank you!

£10 or more

Digital Postcard Set

A set of promotional postcards with text overlaying beautiful stills from the film. And of course our everlasting thanks.

£12 or more

Monkey’s Fist Keyring | Limited Batch

Handmade from tarred marlin. A monkey’s fist is a beautiful stopper knot that harks to a golden age of sailing. Made from synthetic hemp and steeped in Stockholm tar, these look incredible and smell delicious. Another tangible reward as a way of saying thank you! You’ll also get the digital postcard set, of course.

£20 or more

'With Thanks' Credit and Digital Postcard Set.

Your name will appear on the end credits of the film to show our gratitude and preserve it forever in digital stone. You will also automatically get the digital postcard set sent straight to your inbox.

£30 or more

Print & Digital Bundle

Get the series of printed postcards delivered to your door, each will boast a sharp design laid over stunning imagery taken directly from the film. Receive a download link to a hi-res version of the film, and of course you'll get a credit as well.

£100 or more

Hey Big Spender

For the princely sum of one hundred pounds you'll receive all of the above rewards, plus a lovingly designed DVD copy and a Special Thanks in the film's credits.

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