River heroes’ film at a cinema near you
The joyful film about a community’s fight for its river Rave On For The Avon is now in cinemas. Following its first screening at Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire on 11th January, the feature length documentary film will be touring around the country with new dates being added all the time.
Until now, word of mouth has brought more than 1500 people to see the film. But, after The Guardian newspaper gave Rave On For The Avon a four-star review, the film’s director, Charlotte Sawyer, hopes that the buzz will grow.
“So many people at the Hebdon Bridge screening came because a friend who had seen the film told them ‘you will love this film!’,” she says, who broke ice and dipped with local swimmers before the screening. “Our hope is that this film will change the narrative on how we talk about protecting our rivers- that is done out of a deep connection with the river, rooted in love.”
“Clean water is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone and this film shines a light on the fight for it. But more than anything, it shows the transformational joy of swimming outdoors.”
Ask and answer
Following the Hebdon Bridge screening, there was a Q&A with the Director of Wild Water, Ben Davis and The Calder Rivers Trust, Andy Bray, discussing swimming in nature and ways to engage with campaigning that brings joy.
“Clean water is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone and this film shines a light on the fight for it. But more than anything, it shows the transformational joy of swimming outdoors,” said Ben Davis. “So many interesting things came up in the Q&A, which left me feeling inspired and optimistic about the future. Despite being at opposite ends of the country, my film Wild Water had lots of similar themes. Community, the power of water and wonderful nutters!”
These community discussions with local swimming experts will take place at future screenings. Outdoor Swimmer’s features writer Rowan (who also appears in the film) will be on the panel at her local Weston-Super-Mare screening on March 5th with Michelle Walker, Technical Director at the Rivers Trust.
“This film is a beautiful representation of a swimming community that I know and love – it captures Bristol’s spirit,” says Rowan. “But every outdoor swimmer and every person who loves being in, on or by a river will relate to it, too, and that’s the beauty of it. You see yourself and the places you love in this film – figuratively and, in my case, literally. I’m super proud to be involved with this campaign and film – even if I now get called ‘the cheesecake lady’!”
Rave On for the Avon is a beautiful feature-length documentary which explores our relationship with and love of rivers, and how we can fight for them. It also captures Bristol’s energy and it’s set to a very special Bristol soundtrack. To find your nearest screening, click here.
