We Are Together

I had a good time at Sheffield Doc Fest a couple of weeks ago. It was about a 2.5 hour train ride from London. The highlight was seeing We Are Together, am amazing film. Check out their website www.wearetogether.org
You can read about the film on the site.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/childrenofagape/from/simunyeproject
If you click here you can listen to my fave song from the film, sung by am amazing 7 year old, who is now approaching 11, if you get my drift! I now have my heart set on going to South Africa to meet Mbali. Her song is number 2, Pigogo, you can only hear a sample but her spirit comes blasting out of the speakers! I love it! Going to buy the CD now.

Happy Day is also very cool, but even more fun when you see the kids singing it in the studio. Such amazing faces and voices! I want a copy of the film to watch over and over. Now thats the sign of a great film! Its also extremely sad. It is such an important film, and I hope it gets released widely in Australia.

Theatrical Trailer

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Theatrical Trailer for Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid, one of my fave films of the year is being released theatrically in the US, which is a big deal for a doco so fingers crossed thousands of people flock to the cinemas! It really is an awesome film. Here are two trailers for it. Well done Chiemi, Jen and Billy!

BILLY THE KID - TRAILER

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It has been great to be based over here and see so many awesome films at festivals. Meeting the filmmakers and quizzing them about their processes has been really insightful indeed! I have learnt a lot about doco making, and hope to continue to put all these new skills in to practise.

Oui Oui Oui Kiss Kiss Kiss

Well, I have never been kissed by so many different people in one week!
Kiss Kiss Kiss. ALWAYS 3. So when I met 8 new people that was 48 kisses in an hour! Hello and goodbyes. Doesn't matter if you dont swap names, but kissing, Oui!

I have been enjoying the beautiful village of Marguelone in the south of France! It has been so wonderful to get out of London and to experience a new Country. Marguleone is just outside of Montpellier where I flew for just 1 penny plus tax, yes its true, those cheap flights really do exist, and I am glad I took advantage of them even if they are super early in the morning when my chronic pain is at its worst.




Within minutes of landing I was instantly intrigued and sold on the area! Very different to Japan but that instant feeling of excitement and also calm that struck me when I first hit Tokyo, hit again. I am keen to go back and spend more time in France and with my new friends there. I really like the architecture! I loved the windy streets that had no cars parked on them as it looks so much nicer! I met the lovely Celine and she took us to her stepfathers house, where we spent night 1. His place is amazing, its 600 years old so I was just saying WOW a lot. I also said yummy a lot which everyone found cute... but everything really was yummy! I felt very at home, falling asleep in front of the fire place more than once! I was very well taken care of. Lucky girl.


The lovely Celine, voice of an Angel, but not in a Charlotte Church kinda way. Celine studied in India with Bahauddhin the Indian musician I shot on tour in 2002 around OZ. The wonder that is John Anderson facilitated this hook up and I am most grateful. We get on great! She has a great french accent but occasionaly slips in to a great Indian accent and wiggles her head. Very cute.
This is Celines sister Elsa with yummy french cake. Yes, I ate cake, oooh did I eat cakes! And I drank a lot of Cassis my fave drink in the whole world which I have only ever drunk in Japan but it is actually French. I highly recommend it with orange juice or soda. Its like alcoholic blackcurrant juice which is my fave childhood drink.
This is Celine's mum's house, so homely, huge rooms and big windows. I really enjoyed the space to write and relax.. But of course... my main priority? ELEVEN year old!?
Within 24 hours we found Remi, he was recommended to us by Celines Mums neighbour. HER house was ridiculously gorgeous but I didn't photograph it! Next time!

Anyhow, in short, I had a SUPER time with Remi and his family, he is an amazing boy, a 'humanist' as he calls himself. He lives in a completely solar powered home by the sea and is a VERY exciting addition to my documentary. I am excited about editing. He will win hearts I am certain, he certainly won mine! He was gorgeous with his sisters Violette and Alice. They really wanted to come shoot with us and I am glad they did as it was a fun outing interviewing such lovely kids by the sea and in the French countryside! Pretty special!





Each time I packed up the camera something made me pull it out of the bag again. It was really hard to say goodbye to Remi and the girls! I get emotional wondering when I will see these 11 year old kids again! Remi really reminded me of someone, can you guess?






Remi suggested I shoot the moon from his garden.



So, words cant really describe how surreal getting a massage at a strangers dining table whilst watching Borat simultaneously on a huge plasma screened, being fed crossaints but said massage man who is smoking a cigarette and drinking wine. It was THAT scene in Borat, ay ay ay, very graphic! A long stretch from the little massage room I am used to on Lygon st with dear Valde! But still, an experience! I got 3 kisses of course but never actually got his name so I will call him smoking massage man. He explained to everyone in the room that he had never felt a back as bad as mine in his career.. and I am pretty sure his career expands past his lounge, he was quite good. So yeah my back and neck and pretty horrendous but I am keeping a brave face ! Necessary!


After massage I rang John to hear about the election news! I rang Joe and he was screaming so I assumed good things! YAH! We can look forward to a future with no Howard. I am glad, and I am guessing the vibe in Oz was huge this last week!



I really was meant to be in France, so many wonderful memories, thanks to Celine and everyone! It was nice to be in the Country my name originates from, which also meant that EVERYONE pronounced it correctly, as in, Shen-Fieff. Quite chic! They found my way, 'Genaveeve' quite funny!

Of course just minutes after the Ruddslide news I meet this little Frenchie at the door of smoking massage mans house. He was the first and last Frenchie I would see in France... and of course, he was 11!


More soon!

Obey and Billy

I have met two new 11 year olds for my doco!
You can see a short clip I cut of Billy here.

Billy is a big wrestling and Dirty Dancing 1 and 2 fan. He likes the womance and nice dance moves. He also likes David Arquette.

Obey boxes 2 times a week at the Repton Boys club in East London.



'Dude I know too much'- my fave Billy quote so far! We are hanging out tomorrow so that is going to make my day.

On Thursday I fly to Montpellier in the South of France. French kids here I come.

Skype

I was just chatting with Gina and Skype was not connecting very well

"you are breakin up" Gina kept saying...

So I check youtube and found this



Reminds me of singing in the car with Dad.

I have had progress with Eleven this week. Met with Obey at a boxing club in the east end, he is very small, a tough little nugget, red beckham type haircut, very fair skin and freckles, very cockney accent! And I am meeting another boy Billy for the first time tomorrow in Angel. Cant wait!


South of France next week...

Home Alone

I spend a lot of time at home alone in London, working and eating and working and sleeping. This is the view from my flat. Over the last 2 weeks there have been loads of fireworks going off. Over last weekend there was a period of about 4 hours where they were going off left right and centre, some felt like they were just metres from my bedroom window! Quite an experience although it wore off and I continued on with my work. I have been working very hard, just finished 3 new music videos. Also have spent a long time researching and trying to find 11 year olds here in London







I am hoping to hear back from Autistic society tomorrow. Its difficult getting through to the right people at schools here so I set out on foot again today, kid hunting with various funny results. I met 2 boys as they run in front of a truck. I have a VERY good radar after 2 years of scouring the world for 11 year olds, I am a pretty good guess. He was indeed 11 but his friend was very sceptical and he whispered to his friend |"i am going to be the responsible one here and not talk to the stranger" Michael replied "yahhh I am going to be on TV!!!!!!!" and his friend whispered something else and Michaels eyes lit up and he handed back my paperwork and squeeled I dont wanna do this anymore! I told him I was legit and to give the forms to his parents and get in contact if they are all interested, he snatched the forms back and apologised and ran faster than the wind. AY ay ay I would like to know what the other boy said to him!

Its true this would be harder if I was a man, but I am not. And I am pretty sick of people who make peodophile jokes as well.. Friends joke, oh you better stop saying you are looking for kids. Its silly really I dont like those sort of cheap jokes... anyhoo!

Tomorrow night I am heading to a junior boxing school in the East end to meet 11 yr old boys there. So, fingers crossed by this time next week I will have one on board! Actually this time next week I will have a French kid in front of my lens! Cant wait, South of France is a tiny bit warmer and hopefully a great new challenge.
Then back to London then Morocco with Henrik! YAH! We are shooting at a school for the blind and doing some photography work!

Waiting for Stickels.

Kinda like Waiting for Godot, but different.




Here is a music video I shot in Harajuku Japan, one of my very fave places in the world so far. The song is Motion Sickness by the lovely Oklahomo Trio. This is one of my favourite songs off their 2nd album Obbsessive;Impulsive. You check check them out here



I enjoyed shooting this video, its the first video I have made without moving my feet... just stood and captured life around harajuku while waiting for Stickels to arrive, good thing he was so late, had a nice time shooting. When he did arrive we shot footage for another music video which was very fun.

Strong American lady accent directed at me
"Oh mah GOSH is that that your husband? He is SOOO crazy he is lying on the ground. Oh mah gosh you better give him CPR"

Fun shooting with Luke in Japan. Very fun. That video will be on here when its finished.

I will post the other 2 new videos tomorrow

:)

London... an update

We all had a bit of a giggle at these little guys on the train platfrom at Dalston. They were making game plans and shooting birds. Usually I am quite opposed to kids with any sort of toy weapons, but I couldnt help but laugh. Kids with thick British accents make me smile.





Winterpark played to a good crowd in Highbury Islington.




The Never Alone video team in one spot. Linnea and Henrik were in the video I made for Matt in 2005 in Prague. Fun we were all in the same place at the same time!

On Sunday I went to Broadway Market with Tom and Bec. Bad news, it wasnt on, good news I met Ollie! Now, I welcome any boston with open arms and big kisses, but Ollie was PARTICULARLY cute as he had many Bosco like features. He did the whole, "Im not gonna kiss you.." BANG "Ok maybe just one" as he lunged at my face and smacked one on me. SOOOOOOO happy to get some Boston energy. I was raised on BTs so I get a bit low without them around.




Yes this is my crazy dog lady smile. Olivia Ollies's mum (yes odd name choice) was from California and was actually quite proud of how much attention I was paying to Ollie. "Its nice to see him being appreciated." Let us hope I meet more Bostons here, although they are rare.


I FINALLY had my first drum class, african drums in Camden! Very very fun. The concentration reminded me of tap dancing, but my hands got the work out not me feet. Our teacher was great. Jo and I look forward to more drumming. Our new friend David took us, he's a great Glaswegian!



This is David and Jo in Chalk Farm. We stayed out chatting so late we missed the last trains. David is going to work on my next film with me which I am very excited about.



We celebrated Jo's birthday at a Moroccon place in Soho a couple of weeks back.
The entire ground floor was women. Henrik was the only guy! We were sandwiched between 2 Hens parties, wearing witches hats etc. There was a belly dancer too.
Henrik was suitably comfortable as he had experienced Mums 60th so you know, this night was tame in comparison. And people werent in PJs so...


This is Marilyn who Jo and I befriended on a bus at like 4am a couple of months ago. Jo and Marilyn have a very special bond and Marilyn thinks that Jo is like an extended birthday present as it was her bday that night on the bus.. Very cute.





This is Hampstead Heath where we wandered with Josh who was over from Prague. Twas nice and felt a world away. Its only 30 mins by train but very very country.

Looking forward to researching and making plans for Morocco and Italy soon. Launching the Peggy Sue and the Miou Miou video very soon!

:)

Wrong way come back

Today Henrik had the misfortune of missing his flight, not because he was late but because his plane was not at the same airport he was at... or something. Good part is means he is here for a couple more days! YAH. Celebrations were had with banana pancakes. We can now go and see the Autistic childrens work at the gallery which has just opened. The sun is shining so bright today so I cherish it, it wont be here for much longer! Awesome sunsets up here on level 12!





This is my local park where we watch deer.. ok, enough about the deer Gen...



We are nearly finished the Peggy Sue Clip. I have been editing and listened to the song many times, its a great track. Here are some photos from the shoot in Hackney and Brighton.
The shoot was a lot of fun. We met some real tjomens = chums.



I love the pic of the girls lying down and the little local tricksters watching on. They asked a million questions while I was standing up on the bridge shooting the girls, and I didnt realise til later there were also hiding under the bridge with stink bombs. The girls did a great job, and ended up giving the kids a skateboard once we wrapped... Not so safe in the knowledge that they wouldnt not hurt themselves.. it was a very cheap skateboard... Oh well, they were tough kids! Lots of kids here in the UK!



In between wrapping shooting the video and heading to the live show Henrik got snap happy and took some photos on Brighton Beach with the only person around to shoot! I tried to look comfy on the rocks as the ones where I am actually reflecting how uncomfy they are, dont look very good! I dont get rocks over sand at beaches.. never have.



Kung Fu Fighting and Pass This On are sort of the theme songs of that shoot, we played it over and over. I think I liked Kung Fu Fighting a bit more than most people. Awww yeah. I made a mix cd of danceable tracks which went off a treat in Dalston where we stopped people to dance for us...

In fact it was a little bit frightening, but they did it with expert timing.. ohh ooo ohh ohhhh.. HA! I love it. I gotta get up and dance now. Ciao!!