Ben River’s debut feature film
Image still: Two Years at Sea, Ben Rivers, 2011
Two Years at Sea is the debut feature by London-based artist and film-maker Ben Rivers.
The film documents the solitary existence of Jake, a man who lives in isolation in the middle of the forest in remote Scotland. It follows the character’s unconventional life, capturing moments of profound beauty. Jake is seen in all seasons, surviving frugally, passing the time with strange projects, living the radical dream he had as a younger man, a dream he spent two years working at sea to realise.
Two Years at Sea is commissioned and produced by FLAMIN Productions, the flagship scheme of FLAMIN (Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network), it will be screened in Orizzonti, the festival’s section dedicated to showcasing innovative works and new trends in world cinema.
“I made a short film about Jake five years ago, and as time has passed and other films have been made, I have had a continual feeling that I should go back – to make another film where I, and the audience, can spend more time hanging around Jake’s place in the forest. I want the film to embrace the different perception of time that Jake and his environment have, which is much more patient and relaxed than my own urban living. The film has at its core the relationship between a person and the place they have chosen to live out their life, and the deep connection there is between them.” Ben Rivers on Two Years at Sea.
Ben River’s previous films include Slow Action which is part the Animate Collection. Slow Action is a post-apocalyptic science fiction film that brings together a series of four 16mm works which exist somewhere between documentary ethnographic study and fiction. It was co-commissioned by Animate Projects and Picture This in association with Matts Gallery.
Ben Rivers in conversation with video artist Andrew Kotting, recorded early 2011 is available to watch through Animate Project’s Vimeo channel and is a great insight into his practice.
Two Years at Sea will receive its world premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival which runs from 31 August – 10 September 2011.