I’ve just returned from shooting in the Haida Gwaii (Canada’s stunning Queen Charlotte Islands). This is the wild country where ravens and eagles, whales and sea lions compete for our attentions and food. A dreamy, wind torn part of the country where an isolated society, not unlike the futuristic world of Rock Bottom exists. Go backwards to find the future. The raven and eagle clans of the Haida aboriginal people impart age old wisdoms to us as we film a documentary and I understand that my sojourn away from Rock Bottom is a gift.
The desolation of the Haida Gwaii islands makes for a creative and one might say “wiley” people. They save everything. Recycle, reuse. Invent. It’s difficult to get supplies on or off the islands and I think about Rock Bottom’s cut off society. How the design of the picture will incorporate reused & recycled materials, no plastic (my own injection) so bits of glass or metal become buttons, jewelry or weapons. How our characters have squirreled away anything that might be useful or at least tradable. Money holds no importance (again) – like the old days it’s “things” that denote power. And so Blake’s black market business thrives and creates the raven and the eagle mentality fighting for food, power and our attentions.
