Swim

2018 / 5:39 min

Birthplace tells the symbolic story of a man arriving on a perfect earth, who encounters his nemesis in the form of ocean trash.

Birthplace won over 20 awards at international film festivals. Amongst these are Video Of The Year at the UK Independent Music Award, and Best Music Video at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland.

Online: Youtube | Vimeo

Written & Directed by: Sil van der Woerd & Jorik Dozy | Producer: Sean Lin, New Frontier Pictures | Line Producer: Bayu Topan | Cinematographer: Nihal Friedel | Art Director: Dalbo Suarimbawa

Free Diver: Michael Board

AC: David Cheung | Production Assistants: Vanya Safitri, Lim Chiu Shik, Aiman Arrifin | Safety Free Diver: Dani Mulyana | Dive Team: Jun Nakamatsu, Brata / Ketut Subrata, Blenk / Nengah Setiawan, Adis / Kadek Suadistayana, Amin / Ketut Sudi, Sincang, Wayan Merta, Jim / Ngurah Jinuarta, Leso / Wayan Sudita, Gede Buana | Assistant Divers: Ni Luh, Mila Paramita | Fishermen: Nengah Suanda, Nengah Sudana, Ketut Sudana, Nyoman Sukrata, Wayan Mena, Kadek Apriana | Truck Driver: Komen | Whale Builders: Ngasem / Wayan Widianta, Moncos / Ketut Arimbawa, Perak / Ketut Ardana, Boncet / Wayan Ariantana, Windhu / Kadek Windutama, Klebot / Putu Sukmawibawa, Mumun / Ketut Supartika, Berenteng / Wayan Sudirta, Dengkak / Ketut Sridana, Pegil / Komang Artana, Blotone / Wayan Muliasa, Renol / Komang Kerta Udiantika, Degleg Lipi / Degleg Astika, Cekel / Komang Nesa, Sampi / Wayan Suriasa, Bento / Wayan Muliawan, Gilo / Gede Rupawan, Keplek / Gede Ardana, Doblar / Ketut Buki, Bolong / Ketut Sumerta, Pecit / Komang Suardana, Ginyu / Wayan Mertana, Patil / Kadek Suartawan, Polcek / Komane Sutawan | Edit: Sil van der Woerd & Jorik Dozy | VFX production: Kacy McDonald, Jeen Yee | VFX supervision: Simon Rafin, Nicolas Caillier | Visual Effects Artists: Eugene Cheong, Senye Onn, Gina Phoo, Germaine Phoo, SeungYub Bag, Julian Lojek, Vincent Chang, Janice Tan, Diego Riestra Olguin, Azman Rohman, Emanuele Comotti | Colorist: Nihal Friedel | Music: 'Birthplace' by Novo Amor, 'Seneca' by Novo Amor | Record Label: Dave Grinnell, All Points | Supported by Zen Freediving Pte Ltd, Speedboat Sponsored By Villa Markisa Bali, Trash Truck sponsored by Peduli Alam | Web Design: Noor Valibhoy | Special Thanks: Chris Kim, Nigel Sumner, Luke Hetherington | Thanks To: Kepala Desa Purwa Kerthi, Romke Faber, Seabert Deuling, Francois Desplanques, Chizuru Itaya, Alex Steier, Rajbir Dhalla, Fifi Maree, Matthew Synth

About The Project

Music video Birthplace for Novo Amor tells the symbolic story of a man arriving on a perfect earth, who encounters his nemesis in the form of ocean trash.

With this video we raise awareness for the plastic pollution emergency in the oceans, and hope to inspire others to become a part of the change.

We wanted the viewer to fall in love with the beauty of the ocean, and then break their heart as ocean trash takes over.

We collaborated with a local community in Bali to build a life-size 13 meter prop whale. The whale was constructed from bamboo, and covered with real waste, for which we worked together with a group of school kids who were picking trash in the jungle, in return for books and pencils.

It took a team of 10 divers to control the whale puppet underwater. UK freediving champion Michael Board performed over 250 free dives, while the dive team spent over 35 hours underwater.

Michael's performance was challenging, as he could use none of his professional gear and was practically blind underwater. Other challenges included the buoyancy of the whale, which preferred to either sink or float - the strong currents, that pulled the crew and the whale in any direction - and communication, as most of the crew couldn't see each other and none could speak underwater.

Production

We covered our many experiences in making Birthplace in The Story of Birthplace:

Edit & Voice Over: Sil van der Woerd | Stock Footage: Plastic Oceans

Interview with Craig Leeson

Craig Leeson from Plastic Oceans discusses the magnitude of the problem plastic pollution in our oceans.

Interview: Sil van der Woerd | Intro: Novo Amor