¦ dialling in from Sky Bunker ¦
07:47 GMT, Wednesday 7th Jan 2008. Sitting at my desk enjoying the fading warmth from the central heating. I switched it on around 5A.M., worrying about water freezing in the pipes and causing them to burst. It’s been one of the coldest nights on record here in Bristol. -7c. Nothing compared to the Arctic but at least the homes there are built to spec. British homes are not. There’s an incredible silence. A continuation of the wonderful eerie silence that fell across the city last night – pressed down hard by the shocking chill in the air. I left work with GonzoBen, rode the Park & Ride to the edge of Bath and climbed into Swampy. A rural journey back to Bristol, to the Cosy Castle, and then later, on into the heart of the city. The utterly frozen heart of the city. The harbour was locked solid with ice. The pedestrian areas were void of people. The brightly lit bars and cafes were empty….bored bar staff standing around waiting to serve customers who’d decided to stay at home and hide from the cold and the credit crunch.
The reason for our venture into town was to see the film, “Far North” at the Watershed. We couldn’t have picked a more appropriate night – weather wise. The film was filmed on Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe, about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole: somewhere I’ve long wanted to go. A landscape of frozen tundra, icy sea and blunt mountains.
Far North is an exceptional film. I went because I wanted to see the landscape. I didn’t read the blurb about the film beyond the fact it was filmed on Svalbard. The cinematography is beautiful. They capture that rare quality of light you can only experience in the Far North. The script is minimal and rightly so. So much was conveyed by the actions of the actors. A small and brilliant cast. The ending… well, the ending is utterly jaw-dropping; it had me pushing myself down in my seat, squirming with unease and tension. In a way, the film could be the work of David Lynch; there’s a heavy use of subliminal sound… a brooding atmosphere that increases throughout the background, within the subconscious, as the film slides towards the denouement. A slow film, yes; but utterly absorbing. The end of it will probably stay with me for the rest of my life.
After the film, GonzoBen and I bailed out of the Watershed. I refuse to provide custom to their bar after I experience their Nazi-like policy of harassing people using laptops. So we drove to Boca Bar: GonzoBen supped Gin and Ginger Beer with a splash of lime; I nursed a black coffee and a shot-glass full of Amaretto. Boca Bar, I love you.
Today is my first day feeling like I’m getting back to normal. Starting work on Monday was a profound shock – after 2 weeks away in the bubble world of Jesus Mound. I felt as though I’d woken up in a strange body, with a vague instinct I needed to get into my car, and get to this building, and switch on this computer. Then I looked at my stack of emails and the lists of projects I’m responsible for and I had absolutely no idea what I was supposed to be doing. Terrifying!
Yellow Dawn (2nd Edition) is officially 1 year old today. Hoorah!
It was released on 7th January 2008…and I’m pretty darn pleased with the small but very positive feedback it’s generated. When I take off my slippers and get back into writing, I’ll be releasing an updated version (2.1) containing bug fixes and the like. Until then, here’s to nights out with my friends and catching up on all the movies I’ve missed: I’m revelling in my decision to give up writing for a while. I’m enjoying my spare time. Wasting it, even, but relaxing.
Click Here to read original Yellow Dawn (2nd Edition) release post
Best wishes
Djr
Click here to see more about Far North: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860866/