Renewing...

Arriving in Frankfurt at 5:30am (!) this morning, I had breakfast with Dr. Siedentopf, a member of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) and organizer of the conference I am here to attend, "The Effects of Nuclear Disasters on the Natural Environment and Human Beings" (INFO), which begins tomorrow.

Some of the conference participants, including doctors and scientists from Japan, Belorussia and Germany, were then given a tour of JUWI (WEBSITE), one of Germany's leading companies in harnessing renewable energy.  JUWI's goal is to have 100% of the power used in Germany to come from renewable energy such as wind, solar and bio sources by 2020.

Our tour included seeing some of the company's wind turbines.  This was the first time for me to not only see one of these great machines up close, but to actually have a look inside as well.  And it felt like being inside of a lighthouse.

In the evening, we attended an anti-nuclear protest that has been taking place in the town of Langen every 1st Monday since the nuclear meltdown in 2011.  Several of the Japanese guests who are in Frankfurt to attend the IPPNW conference also took part in the demonstration.

Dr. Siedentopf delivers a speech.

After the protest, I was invited for dinner at the home of Dr. Siedentopf and her husband Hans, a retired gynecologist.  Joining us was Dr. Mikhail Malko, a scientist from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, who is also in town for the conference where he will present his research about the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

Until we meet again, Taiwan...

The World Tour of ‘A2-B-C’, upon which I embarked more than six months ago, will be coming to an end over the next few weeks as the 3^rd anniversary of the March 11 triple disasters is marked (upcoming screenings HERE).

I am extremely grateful for all that I have come to know, especially the realization that there is so much more I have yet to learn.  I pray that I may be open to receiving the challenges that are set before me, that I am filled with gratitude for all that I have been given, and for the strength to be humble.

Today, I leave Taiwan for Germany where I am extremely honoured to be screening ‘A2-B-C’ on the opening day of the IPPNW-sponsored International Conference on the Effects of Nuclear Disasters on the Natural Environment and Human Beings (INFO).

As I say “until we meet again” to Taiwan, a country to which I have become so connected during the past few months, I will close with a few photographs that represent what this life is really all about: our connections with others.

PS  My relationship with Taiwan has only just begun, and I look forward to sharing some exciting news over the coming weeks!

Taiwan Tour: Taichung

The last stop for ‘A2-B-C’ (WEBSITE) on this tour of Taiwan was today in the city of Taichung.  The screening was free (as all of the screenings on this tour have been), and the 70 seats were quickly reserved through pre-registration so it was standing room only.

The way a post-screening Q&A goes varies widely and depends on everything from the size of the audience and the space to how jet-lagged I’m feeling.  But everything seemed to just come together during the Q&A following the screening in Taichung, and the exchange with the audience was electric.

When our time together came to an end, we gathered for a group photograph.  I then filmed the last of the messages from Taiwan to the people of Fukushima. 

Taiwan Tour: Taipei (Part 2)

Hands down: the most amazing screening of 'A2-B-C' yet.  Arranged by Director Cheng in cooperation with GCAA (WEBSITE) 'A2-B-C' was screened in Taipei's Liberty Square outside the exquisite Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

Holding the free public screening outside meant that not only people who were already concerned about what is happening in Fukushima were in attendance, but that those who just happened to be passing had an opportunity to see the film as well.

During the screening, award-winning photographer Edd Jhong, asked to take my photograph for a new project that he is unveiling for the 3rd anniversary of the March 11 disaster.  After our individual portraits were taken, renowned Taiwanese actor and director Leon Dia, Director Cheng and I posed for a photograph together.

Following the screening, Director Cheng led the Q&A and discussion (VIDEO below), and later I filmed messages to the people of Fukushima.

For more about today's events, links for the TV news report and newspaper article are below.  The Q&A video is HERE

Taiwan Tour: Taipei (Part 1)

This 3-city tour of 'A2-B-C' in Taiwan (INFO) has been sponsored in part by film director Cheng Yu-Chieh and is part of an awareness campaign leading up to events marking the 3rd anniversary of the March 11 nuclear disaster.

This afternoon, Director Cheng arranged for a press screening of 'A2-B-C' at the Huashan Creative Park, housed in a former brewery built by the Japanese during its occupation of Taiwan.

with Director Cheng Yu-Chieh, Director Wu Yi-Feng and GCAA Secretary General Shu-Hsin Tsui

Director Cheng led the post-screening discussion.  Questions members of the print and television journalists as well as fellow filmmakers asked centered on the media's coverage of the disaster, censorship, and the film's reception in Japan.

Interview by Taiwan Public Television Service

Before tonight's big screening in the capital I had time for a short break, and was able to meet a couple of old friends and their children for dinner.  Panos, from Greece, and his wife, Mei, from Taiwan, were roommates of mine when I was doing completing my MA in Film and Television Production in Bristol 10 years ago.  They met in our flat and ended up getting married!

Taiwan Tour: Tainan (Part 2)

Walking around Tainan before the screening yesterday, we noticed many "No Nukes: No More Fukushimas" flags around the city.  I was surprise to see so many people publicly displaying their anti-nuclear sentiments outside their homes and shops.

The screening of "A2-B-C' was sponsored by the Homemakers United Foundation (INFO), and when we arrived at the venue, the first thing they asked me to do was to sign some of the "No Nukes: No More Fukshimas" flags that were to be sold for a fundraiser.

Around 150 people in the audience, and during the post-screenings Q&A, the first question was from a young girl who asked "What can we do to help?".  The simple act of asking this question is the first step to finding a solution, and during my time in Taiwan, I have met so many young people who are engaging in the world around them and searching for a way to make a change.  This has been so amazing.

Following the Q&A, I mentioned that I had brought a camera and asked that anyone who felt moved to offer a message to the people affected by the nuclear meltdown to please come to the front.  A long queue formed...