Voices film in support of City of Culture bid premiers

History says, Don't hope

On this side of the grave

But then, once in a lifetime

The longed-for tidal wave

Of justice can rise up

And hope and history rhyme

This is how Voices, the official film produced to support the Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 bid begins.

The film produced by the award winning arts organisation the Nerve Centre embodies the hope of the city in its' desire to become the first UK City of Culture.

As the film gets it's online premiere today it's fair to say it captures the vibrancy of the city's cultural scene and gives voice and vision to the enthusiasm, passion and commitment with which the city has embraced the City of Culture bidding process.

Snow Patrol gave the bid partners permission to use Just Say Yes as the anthem for the campaign for UK City of Culture and the song is the perfect match for this film.

Snow Patrol's front man Gary Lightbody was born in Bangor, but his family originate from Derry~Londonderry.

Gary believes that the city would be a fantastic venue for the UK City of Culture 2013.

"Derry~Londonderry is a vibrant, warm and creative city and its cultural life has always thrived.

"Being shortlisted for UK City of Culture in 2013 confirms what many of us have known all along; that culture is at Derry~Londonderry's heart. The city has an exciting future ahead and I can't think of anywhere that deserves to win this accolade more."

And Gary is well-versed with the city's rich cultural history: "Derry~Londonderry has, a number of times, set the standard for the arts in Northern Ireland.

"The Undertones wrote apolitical anthems for the youth of Ireland at a time when we needed an escape from politics and religion the most.

"The Nerve Centre was in Derry~Londonderry and highly functional and creative long before we set up the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast.

"It was the inspiration for us when we were setting the centre up," he said.

The film has 42 separate scenes and features 28 individuals delivering lines to the camera with contributions from internationally renowed visual artist Willie Doherty and Seamus Heaney.

Willie Doherty can be seen on the Craigavon Bridge is quoting a line from his own work in the late 1980 in a visual set-up inspired by his Turner nominated work around the bridge.

John Peto, writer/director of the Voice's film said: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to make this film as a way to capture the passion, energy and creativity of the city and its people and in particular the groundswell of public support that has been generated around the campaign for UK City of Culture within the last few months.

"I hope that this film visually communicates the people, place, past and future with a positive articulation that a successful city of culture bid will be transformative for the city."

The main cultural content was filmed over one weekend in May at the One World Festival and the Carnivale of Colours organized by Seeds and In Your Space performing arts company respectively.

The film not only captures the beauty of the city but also the gifted young performers such as The Wonder Villains who played at Radio 1 One Big Weekend and Meadbh McGinley, a 14 year old pianist, singer, composer from the City educated in Vienna.

A highlight of the film is Bane Parkour, a professional free runner, jumping from a piece of public art in Lincoln Courts before delivering his line.

The public art that he jumps from was installed under the re-imaging communities programme, replacing a loyalist mural and this short scene illustrates the depth of thought that went into each scene of this film.

Derry City Council's Temporary Director of Development, Oonagh McGillion, who was part of the city's 10-strong pitch-team in Merseyside and saw the reaction of the judges to 'Voices', says the video is extremely powerful because it allowed the people of the city to speak directly about why the City of Culture designation should come to their home town.

"The great strength of the Derry-Londonderry bid has been the people of the city, and it's the fact that it is the people of the city who deliver the message in the 'Voices' film that makes it so moving.

"Given the fact that it was the people of the city who, through this film, have been the most eloquent ambassadors for the City of Culture bid it is only proper that they have this opportunity to see how they themselves represented the city to the judging panel in Liverpool," she said.

Nerve Centre Chief Executive, Pearse Moore, said that they had been happy to play their part in the pitch process through the production of Voices.

"The Nerve Centre was delighted to have had the opportunity to play a role in creating something for our city's pitch to become UK City of Culture 2013.

"Hopefully when the people of the city have the opportunity view the film the will agree that we have done justice not only to their town but to the citizens of Derry themselves," he said.

So hope for a great sea change

On the far side of revenge.

Believe that a father shore

Is reachable from here.

Believe in miracles

And cures and healing wells.

And that is how the film is bookended with Seamus Heaney reading from "Cure at Troy" which is an absolute visual treat.

The film closes with Rebecca Ramsey in her screen debut delivering the lines that capture the voice of a city

I have a new story to tell.

I need to tell a new story.

Just Say Yes!

Rebecca looks directly at the camera smiling and it's difficult not to agree. JUST SAY YES!

The film can be viewed on the Nerve Centre's you tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/thenervecentre