WILD WATER, 52min,. UK
Directed by Ben Davis

http://wildwaterfilm.net/
https://instagram.com/wildwaterfilm

Get to know the filmmaker:

Answers:
Ben Davis - Director
Pete Jenkinson - Producer

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Ben - A number of years ago, I was at Gaddings Dam on a lovely summer’s evening. A wide range of people were coming and going, using the water in different ways. These included two brothers in the their 60s training for a triathlon, an older couple who lived on a farm nearby that came up every day to walk their dog, families, runners and horse riders. I realised that Gaddings Dam was a community. The idea came to me that the dam could be used as a central character to hang people’s stories from.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Ben - That initial idea was about seven years ago. We had begun making another documentary as lockdown hit which meant we couldn’t continue. The Wild Water idea back to me as it could all be filmed outside and was local to me. It took about 18 months to film from start to finish, but the main bulk about seven months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Ben: Cold water.
Pete: Warm and welcoming!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Ben: The weather. There were certain scenes I wanted to capture such as the busy day and ice swimming so we had to be willing to film at the drop of a hat, which wasn’t always easy with other work commitments for myself and the team.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Ben - We were thrilled! The film feels very local geographically so I was very pleased that the themes were understood universally.
Pete – It was heartening to see the positivity that watching the film brough to the audience, we’re hoping it will encourage others to take the plunge!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Ben - There wasn't a single moment. We have run a record label for 25 years, our first film and Northern Disco Lights, about Norwegian dance music was thrown out as an idea in a funding meeting. It was picked up on and we thought why not? It felt like a continuation of what we were doing creatively and subconsciously I think had been looking for a new challenge.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Ben - The last time I watched Pulp Fiction, I thought I have probably seen it enough now!
Pete – I love watching the Tarantino films also, Wes Anderson’s perception of hunan life is an inspiration and a joy to participate in.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Ben - When you finish a film, you obviously think is good but you have been working on it in a very macro way. A film festival is a great way of judging it’s impact and quality. The video feedback has been fantastic for us.
Pete – Giving our work a platform for others to watch is really useful for our filmmaking development, building a profile as engaging producers is important for us and our life’s work in the creative arts industries.

9. You submitted to the festival via Film Freeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Pete – It’s been good, The Film Freeway submission always feels a bit detached from the specific festival team and creators but the contact since being selected has been great.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Ben - You can’t beat a Miso Ramen or Sag Paneer Balti!
Pete – It’s got to be a dish that uses Indian spices, also love making habanero salsa.

11. What is next for you? A new film
Ben - We are starting work on the film I mentioned earlier that had to be put on ice during lockdown. It is called Inside The Outside and is about musical outsiders. I am in research mode to fill my brain before trying to work out what shape the film will take and how to tell the story.
Pete – Yep, Inside the Outside is next up, I’m going to begin to draft funding applications next month so wish us luck. We hope to submit again to Toronto in 2025!