Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace

Building Bridges is a portrait of Bill Youren, a Hawke's Bay farmer, peace activist and political organiser for the left — an unusual combination in conservative 1950s New Zealand. John Chrisstoffels' first feature-length documentary uses Youren's film footage, taken with a "trusty" 8mm camera, capturing his visits to China ( almost closed off to Westerners during the Cold War period) and his DIY farming techniques. In this trailer, biographer and co-scriptwriter James Beattie comments on how Youren's home movies provide an insight into Chinese society during a secretive time.

To visit China in 1952 would almost be akin to going to the Moon...

– James Beattie, Bill Youren's biographer, on his visits to China in the Cold War period

Key Cast & Crew

Alexandra Porter

Producer

Geoff Robinson

As: Voice of Bill Youren

James Beattie

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Richard Bullen

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Paul Millar

Writer, Associate Producer, Subject

John Chrisstoffels

Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Associate Producer