Some 15 years ago I had the opportunity to shoot a short film with funding from the local art’s council in Derby. The theme was ‘Heartland Archive’, and whatever that meant to us. I co-wrote and directed with my dear friend Joe Barcham, and I was delighted to be able to cast the wonderful Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw) and his wife, Rachel Henderson, in the lead roles.
It concerns the inventor of the ‘motion daguerrotype’, his obsession with his celebrated wife, and the notion that photography might steal away our souls. Big ideas to pack into a few short minutes! We shot on film, on a set we built in a barn on my parents land, over a period of two days. It’s the first time I’ve watched it for years and I’m so very glad I was able to fulfill my dream of making at least one short film.
‘Heartland Archive’ was shown before the Coen brother’s take on ‘True Grit’ at Quad, in Derby.
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