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Thread. 10 years ago today:
After an intense 3-day shoot I had directed in Seaford with a phenomenal team, I arrived at Heathrow Airport to travel to Liberia with (the) Emma Thompson, her son Tindy, and a colleague from a large NGO.
After an intense 3-day shoot I had directed in Seaford with a phenomenal team, I arrived at Heathrow Airport to travel to Liberia with (the) Emma Thompson, her son Tindy, and a colleague from a large NGO.
My job over the 8 days that followed would be to direct and film Emma - who was/is one of my favourite actors of all time.
Her first words to me when I arrived at the airport (they were already there) were: “How was the shoot?” I was surprised that she knew where I had been.
Her first words to me when I arrived at the airport (they were already there) were: “How was the shoot?” I was surprised that she knew where I had been.
“Amazing. Knackering.” I said. I had worked three 16-hour days, but was elated as the shoot had gone well.
As we boarded the plane she was recognised & ushered to Business Class along with Tindy (they actually had Economy tickets because she wanted us all to sit together).
As we boarded the plane she was recognised & ushered to Business Class along with Tindy (they actually had Economy tickets because she wanted us all to sit together).
It was a 7-hour flight and I remember thinking that I ought to sleep for at least 6 of those hours, as we had an early start the next day. I was out soon after takeoff. 3.5 hours later I was woken up. Bollocks. But it wasn’t one of the cabin crew, as I had assumed. It was Emma.
“Come with me.” she said, beckoning me with her finger. I was dazed, confused. Was this a dream? I followed her, obediently, gaining consciousness with each step, as we walked towards the front of the plane. We got to Business Class.
She pointed at an empty seat. “You will sleep here for the rest of the journey.” she said. It was her seat. She was giving me her seat!
My first response was “Don’t be ridiculous. No.”
My first response was “Don’t be ridiculous. No.”
She looked me square in the eye and said. “This is not a negotiation.” She was serious. Tindy had done the same for my colleague Susan.
It was the first time I had sat in Business Class, and of course, I couldn’t sleep because of the excitement.
It was the first time I had sat in Business Class, and of course, I couldn’t sleep because of the excitement.
And what a trip it turned out to be. My experience of Liberia: magical. Stunning beaches, a charming capital city, warm and friendly people everywhere we went, delicious food. But also palpable trauma, following two brutal civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
One of the most humbling things I have seen in my life was a fully-grown man, a former child soldier, sitting in a primary school classroom alongside 8 year olds, learning how to read and write - and giving it his absolute all.
I remember trying so hard not to cry as I was filming that day. Not because I felt sorry for him, but because I was in awe of his resilience, strength and humility. Fuck.
That trip to Liberia was one of the many life-changing experiences I have been fortunate enough to have.
That trip to Liberia was one of the many life-changing experiences I have been fortunate enough to have.
@PaulinaTervo and I didn't earn much as filmmakers (actually we earned very, very little), but we gained many experiences that one simply couldn't buy, that have made our lives and temporary existence on our little planet so much richer.
I remember on the way back from that trip being convinced that I would be back before long - that I would take Paulina there and show her some of the places I had been to, to eat at some of the places we had eaten.
A decade on, I wonder if I will ever get to go to Liberia again.
A decade on, I wonder if I will ever get to go to Liberia again.
I hope so.
