Eight schoolgirls from Barford Primary School in Edgbaston will be acting in a film created by award-winning filmmaker, Pogus Caesar.
The film, commissioned by leading UK waterside developer, ISIS Waterside Regeneration, forms part of the innovative consultation process for the development of Icknield Port Loop - the area surrounding the Edgbaston reservoir and one of the largest regeneration sites in the Midlands.
Pogus Caesar, whose past work includes directing select individuals such as Lennox Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Sir Paul McCartney, will be making a film, 'Francesca's Key', a story that will tell the history of the Edgbaston reservoir. Ex-Simply Red singer, Dee Johnson, will also be acting in the film which will be premiered at the Icknield Port Loop Festival that takes place on 26th May 2007.
Ashleigh Lewin, age 10 from Barford Primary School has the lead role. She will be acting the part of Francesca, a local girl who runs away from home, and embarks on a journey through the reservoir. "I was really excited to win the role. As Francesca, I come across three different characters, all with a different story to tell about the history, including the story of the famous Blondin who performed a tightrope walk across the reservoir, a war-time home guard and a Butlins representative who worked at the Zoo in the 1930s." she says.
Pogus Caesar explains: "The aim of the film is to surface issues which matter to the community, and the history of the area is a vital part of that. Working on the film, we have unearthed the history by talking to local residents, listening to their stories and working with the Ladywood Arts Centre, a local history group, to delve in to the past and retrieve as many historical facts as possible, including stories about J. R Tolkein who apparently got his inspiration for The Two Towers from the mysterious reservoir when he lived in the area. With my company OOM Gallery we develop projects with diverse communities on wide ranging media projects, Francesca's Key gives us a great opportunity too work with people from the local area.
"We could have created a vox-pop type film which is usual practice in consultation processes, but we wanted to do something more creative and innovative to achieve stand-out, and also encourage a deeper understanding of the area's history. It is something we should be very proud of."
Nick Bird, development manager at ISIS which controls 27 acres of land inside the canal loop and adjacent to Edgbaston Reservoir, said: "ISIS is undertaking meaningful community engagement and public consultation over the next few months to ensure proper community cohesion and demonstrate real responsiveness to local stakeholders. The thoughts, opinions and ideas of local people are vital as we bring forward redevelopment of Icknield Port Loop and create a special and important place, now and for future generations. We are ensuring that the area¹s rich past is not forgotten when redevelopment and regeneration takes place.
"This work, together with a range of technical studies will influence the production of a comprehensive masterplan for the site. ISIS Waterside Regeneration intends to transform this underused area into a vibrant and sustainable community, where people choose to live, work and invest."
To find out more or to participate in any of the Icknield Port Loop consultation community projects, please contact Jayne Bradley on 0121 633 9333 or email jayne@made.org.uk
For further media information or interviews please contact Heather Price at Spinoza Kennedy Vesey PR on 0161 236 9909 or email heather.price@skvpr.co.uk