The short film ‘Rivers – A Race Against Time. Who Will Help the Wild Ones Return’ was created by Room 13 Hareclive, an award-winning independent artists’ studio co-run by children in Hartcliffe since 2003, as part of Wild Spaces, a public art project commissioned by the University of Bristol and the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy and led by the Room 13 Collective.
It is one of three public art commissions celebrating the new campus which opens in September this year.
The premiere organised by Room 13 included a panel discussion and the masks and props from the film on display around the room, with a special blue carpet running through the middle, looking like a river. All of the children involved were dressed in blue.
The film was researched, created and co-produced by the children and will be accompanied by a poster campaign across Bristol from Monday 20 July.
It is also a call to action for all of us to care for and protect our city’s waterways and wildlife and will encourage families to explore blue spaces around Bristol by taking advantage of free bus travel for under 16s during the summer holidays.
Shani Ali, co-founder of Room 13 Hareclive and one of the lead artists, said: “Rivers connect people and places in the city that may not otherwise be connected, like Hartcliffe, the city and the new Temple Quarter site. We were keen to look at these blue wild spaces with fresh eyes – with children’s eyes – and share our findings with others through art and interventions.”
Over the last 18 months since winning the commission, Room 13 children and adults have explored rivers in different ways including:
- Expeditions to Pigeonhouse Stream that rises on Dundry Slopes and flows through Hartcliffe, Crox Botton and South Bristol
- Journeys on foot, mini bus, boat and train
- Learning, reading and discovery working with academics from the University of Bristol.
- Exploring, imagining, making and creating back in the studio.
The result is a playful yet powerful adventure story about place, children, wildlife and why we must care for our rivers. The film follows Mole, Toad, Otter and children as they search for missing Water Vole, following the water from Dundry Slopes to the River Severn, discovering beauty, making friends, learning new things, sensing threats to rivers and choosing to help and make things better.
The story is co-written by children aged 5 – 11, three older children from Room 13 and the adult team: artist co-founders Shani Ali and Paul Bradley, and writer/development worker Ingrid Skeels. Masks and costume are made by children and Paul Bradley. Children were central to acting, voice, directing and costume.
Tommy (9), Co Film Director and Chairperson of Room 13 Hareclive and voice of Otter in the film, said: “We don't just have to be seen as the problem - we can be the solution. I hope it shows adults that they also need to help us and the rivers. Being the director and the voice of otter in the film has helped my confidence grow a lot. Humans are not only the problem they're also the solution and hope we could all work together and make the rivers better like they used to be.”
Isabel (10), Co Film Director and Treasurer of Room 13, added: “Adults need to help us make sure there's no more rubbish and pollution in our rivers. Making the film you hope it will be seen and will go out there in the world. It made me feel very seen and it made me feel like we finally reached a goal. The movie is really good, and I’ve seen how much teamwork we've put into it for the last 18 months. I didn't know if we could get it done so fast - it's quite important if you want to make a movie and if you want people to see it, you need to put it out into the world and not just keep it curled up in one space you have let everyone see it.”
Ingrid Skeels said: “We know that it is through knowledge and experience of nature that children and people of all ages can care about it. Exploring blue spaces offers a way for children to do this, and to explore their city at the same time, and get more of a sense of belonging. And, Dundry Slopes, Crox Bottom, the docks, the Avon, the river Severn and all the other streams, rivers and waterways in Bristol can be explored this summer and every holiday thanks to free bus travel from WECA. In the words of Otter from the film – ‘Living life in wild spaces is pure magic… We need you humans to take care of it all. YOU are part of the solution’.”
Martha Crean, the University’s Public Art Engagement Manager, added: “Room 13's practice is rooted in trust, built through years of care, commitment and collaboration with a single school community. By meaningfully involving children in every aspect of running the studio, they foster ownership, confidence and agency among the young people who take part. Working with Room 13 has been a brilliant opportunity for the University; not only to support their distinctive approach to socially engaged arts practice, but also to learn from their inspiring model of creative collaboration with children.”
When the new campus opens in September a plaque will be on display inside the main Sloane Robinson Building, honouring Room 13 children as lead artists on Wild Spaces and including a QR code linking to the film which will be shown again at a community screening event held at the new campus in October.