The Brexit Tree documentary
The Brexit Tree film is a cooperation between Jan Martinec and Clemens Wilhelm, the film follows the developments of Wilhelm’s public art installation in Scotland.
On 31 Jan 2020, a weeping willow tree was planted by the river Deveron in the small town of Huntly, Scotland, to mark the historic Brexit day.
The Brexit tree symbolizes loss and sorrow, but also healing and rebirth. The communal art project aims to create a place in Huntly where people from both Brexit camps can meet and exchange ideas. This film is a documentary about the tree, the people, the town of Huntly, and how Brexit touches all of them in one way or another.
Director’s statement Jan Martinec & Clemens Wilhelm
As EU citizens and frequent visitors to the UK, we felt the need to observe Brexit from the inside. We wanted to learn more about the internal workings of Brexit, about the deeper motivations and the underlying causes, and to capture this crucial historical moment for the future. We found in Huntly a rich field for sociological research and a welcoming community prepared to speak its mind. The year-long process of Brexit was mirrored in the making of this film: together with the Huntly residents, we faced long stretches of political uncertainties and delays, and the making involved a lot of back and forth on many levels. Brexit is still not over – and it will keep us in suspense for years to come. It is a revealing symptom of our time – a case study of the age of social media- engineered opinions and politics. Brexit is not an island – it is connected to all of us. We are still pondering the question: What is more important? Independence or stability?
Credits:
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Directed & Produced by Jan Martinec & Clemens Wilhelm
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Narrator: Jan Martinec
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Editor: Carla Morelli
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Sound: Tobias Böhm, bvft
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Camera: Jan Martinec
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Color: Ming Xiaoxi
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Drone Operator: Alejandro Lopez
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Title Design: Franz Reimer
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Interviewees:
- Robert Singer | Artist | Huntly & Ayrshire
- Lily Kamp | University Student | Huntly & Glasgow
- David Ward | Composer | Huntly
- Lena Sierakowska | Nordic Ski Center | Huntly
- Kerry Wright | Bartender | Huntly
- Petra Pennington | Art & Community Worker Deveron Projects | Huntly
- Claudia Zeiske | Founding Director of Deveron Projects | Huntly
- Dave Whitehead | Joiner | Huntly
- Manick Govinda | Arts Consultant & Founder of Artists For Brexit | London
- David Foubister | Software Consultant | Huntly
- Trisha Mandal | Erasmus Intern | Huntly
- Conrad Lee | University Student | Huntly & Aberystwyth