THE UNDERCURRENT
HD Film, 50:00
2019 - ongoing
In a time of climate crisis The Undercurrent asks how we deal with such an overwhelmingly global issue on a deeply intimate and personal scale. Filmed in Boise, Idaho in the USA, the film was made with 10 Youth Climate Activists from Boise and small towns from the surrounding area who responded to an online open call. While the climate crisis appears to be the most important theme, the activists explore how climate change interconnects with other aspects of their lives including family, difficulties with religion, friendship, fighting for gender equality and the essential need of a home. Exploring further questions of home, security, shelter, communication and nature, members from the local homeless community from Boise reflect on their experiences.
Made over a period of 2 months through workshops, field trips and vlogs, The Undercurrent uses different filmic materials to address our current predicament. Soundtracked by an original orchestral score composed Pilgrim and singers in Boise, music and song flow throughout to explore the emotional means we have to articulate crisis. Nurturing the dialogue with those in Boise, the film marks the first chapter of a wider body of work that will continue to deal with the constant action needed to deal with the Climate Crisis, using film as a means not to record or document loss but to as an agent to stop it. In these uncertain times globally, The Undercurrent questions what makes us feel like we belong somewhere - it is a home, a country or each other?
With Special Thanks
CLIMATE ACTIVISTS
Ariana Borzea
Jerry Brady
Claire Earl
Daisy Erskine
Maria Estrada
Cora Gregor
Ezra Hampikian
Erikk Kaija
August Mussler-Wright
Piper Myers-Poppay
Liam Neupert
CONTRIBUTORS
... Interfaith Sanctuary, Boise
Nicki Vogel
Jacob Hieter
Stephen Prestwich
Jake Whitson
Special thanks to
Project Well Being and Jodi Peterson-Stigers
SINGERS
Ezra Hampikian
Declan Rowe John
MUSICIANS
Strings & Wind
... Up North Session Orchestra
Violin ... Sarah Brandwood Spencer
& Natalie Purton
Viola ... Christine Anderson
Cello ... Liz Hanks
Flute & Alto Flute ... Fiona Slominska
Oboe & Cor Anglais ... Rachel Clegg
Clarinet ... Sarah Masters
Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
... Carl Raven
Guitar ... Jeff Cochran
Bass Guitar ... Emil van Steenwijk
Piano, Organ and Electronics ... Rory Pilgrim
SOUNDTRACK
THE RIVER
ENGINE YEARS
Co-written & performed
... Ezra Hampikian
REGENERATE THE ENGINE
Co-written & performed
... Ezra Hampikian
RELIGIOUS PARENTS
THE CAR WASH
THE TOWEL
Co-written ... Robyn Haddon
Performed ... Declan Rowe John
TRUTH BELOW SURFACE
3 WATERS
Co-written ... Robyn Haddon
& Declan Rowe-John
Performed ... Declan Rowe John
INFERNO CONE
MC / MC
Co-written & performed
... Declan Rowe John
CAMERA
Cody Gittings
Lila Rae
Rory Pilgrim
LIGHTING
Chaz Gentry
DRONE OPERATOR
Sean McNearney
COLOURIST
Chris Shaw
LETTERING
David Andrews
CREDITS
Modern Activity
SOUND MASTERING
Emil van Steenwijk, Studio Charlatan
EDITOR
Ewan Michael Riley
PRODUCER
Ren Mahon
CATERER
Ariel Delgado Dixon
TRANSCRIPTS
Laetitia Pilgrim
SOUNDTRACK, EDITING
& DIRECTION
Rory Pilgrim
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
Jason Morales
Kristen Cooper
Wytske van Keulen
Teal Gardner
MING Studios, Boise
Mondiraan Fonds
Installation Photo: Daniel Nicolas
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Prix de Rome 2019