As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the vast, serene landscapes of survival games like “The Forest” and “Subnautica”, I find myself deeply drawn to Ben Rivers‘ latest work, “Bogancloch”. The film’s portrayal of Jake Williams’ solitary existence in a rural Scottish highland forest resonates with my own virtual adventures, albeit with a touch of real-world authenticity.
British artist and filmmaker Ben Rivers has once again visited Bogancloch, a secluded location deep within a vast forest in rural Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This is where hermit Jake Williams resides. The title of Rivers’ new movie, which made its debut at the world stage, was unveiled at the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival on Friday. This screening took place under the watchful eye of jury head Jessica Hausner in the international competition program.
As a gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in Bogancloch, a game that unfolds Williams’ life across the changing seasons. Mostly, it’s a solo journey for me, but sometimes, other characters make an appearance, briefly interrupting my solitude. This narrative is a continuation of Rivers’ short game, This Is My Land (2007), and the subsequent feature, Two Years at Sea (2011).
“The filmmaker notes on the Locarno festival site that they made one of their initial short films and their debut feature alongside Jake Williams. They enjoy exploring the concept of revisiting a person to observe repeated actions, fixations, but also to witness how these evolve due to the world’s transformation.”
On a Friday afternoon, I unveiled my latest creation – a captivating blend of reality and imagination – at a press conference in Locarno. I shared some behind-the-scenes tales about the making of this unique project, offering a glimpse into my creative journey.
“It takes a couple of days to readjust when returning to London’s bustling environment, as the filmmaker noted. Similarly, leaving his familiar surroundings for a remote location with just a few people like a sound engineer involves certain adjustments – changes in lifestyle, diet, personal hygiene routines, and noise levels.”
Over time, the director mentioned that his sentiments towards those locations shifted. He expressed, “It seems to me that I’m growing more and more challenged to return to London,” as Rivers confided. “I find myself drawn to the tranquility of the Scottish countryside,” he added.
Discussing if the movie portrays a life and moral lesson, he stated: “Perhaps the film’s focus on an individual living a secluded existence might be interpreted as self-centered or detached from reality. Maybe it presents this lifestyle as ideal. However, I find that notion questionable. Moreover, Jake, the character, doesn’t embody such isolation. He interacts with people and even invites them to join him.”
Rivers explained that he felt drawn to go back to Williams because it was like continuing a story, and his bond with Jake had developed into a deep friendship. He also mentioned that the initial movie revolved around encountering this individual without spoken words.
In the sequel movie, the director expressed that he aimed for subtle transformations, like featuring Williams in various social settings and having conversations with him. “Williams enjoys his interactions,” the director noted, “so it was crucial to me to introduce people into his environment, yet also take him out of it – specifically a school setting, as well as situations where others come together to sing.”
Rivers pointed out that the selection of the song was crucial too, referring to it as a struggle symbolizing life versus death. However, by the end, there’s an underlying sense of optimism within the melody.
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2024-08-09 15:54