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Hero image for Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace

Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace

Film (Trailer) – 2023

E
Exempt

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

Generic Profile image for Paul Millar

Paul Millar

Writer, Associate Producer, Subject

Generic Profile image for Richard Bullen

Richard Bullen

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Generic Profile image for Alexandra Porter

Alexandra Porter

Producer

Generic Profile image for Geoff Robinson

Geoff Robinson

As: Voice of Bill Youren

Generic Profile image for James Beattie

James Beattie

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Profile image for John Chrisstoffels

John Chrisstoffels

Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Associate Producer

See all 21 credits