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.

It would have taken a strong person to come up with the views he did and be prepared to say them publicly . . . certainly in the 50s which was a very narrow time for New Zealand's thought, he was somebody who broke that mould and was something of a role model for others.

– Peace activist Peter Hubscher, who was a family friend of Bill Youren

Key Cast & Crew

Geoff Robinson

As: Voice of Bill Youren

Richard Bullen

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

James Beattie

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Paul Millar

Writer, Associate Producer, Subject

Alexandra Porter

Producer

John Chrisstoffels

Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Associate Producer