film

It all started when…

In 2019 Tower Bridge commissioned the artist Di Mainstone to create an artwork that would celebrate its 125th anniversary and “make the bridge sing”. Funded by the City of London Corporation, Di developed and wrote the film whilst working from the bridge’s abutment. I came on board as co directer of the film to help bring Di’s creative vision to life, specifically the dream sequence shot over 2 nights when Tower bridge was closed to traffic and the scene shot in the Bascule chambers performed by artist Bishi.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with DOP Chris Stevens, Peter Gregory at Camera and lighting services and David Morris from design exchange. The fabulous Music Score was written by Music Director Mandy Wigby, Music composition & sound design by Mandy Wigby and Howard Jacobs of Architects of Rosslyn. Melody & Voice "Sleep Walker" IORA, Harp Olivia Jageurs. Lyrics written by Di Mainstone

‘Time Bascule’ re-imagines Tower Bridge as a giant musical instrument and draws inspiration from one of the first women to work on the bridge – Hannah Griggs who was a cook for the Bridge Master and his family between 1911-15. The film mixes real elements of Hannah’s life with fantastical imaginings and musical narratives.

‘Time Bascule’ explores Hannah’s life in the famous towers via a specially composed musical narrative. Focusing on her love of plants, the dreamlike work sees Hannah researching the connection between music and plant growth. Hannah takes on the role of musical maestro, developing larger and more ambitious tools to help her transform the bridge into a giant musical instrument. As Hannah plays the bridge, its vibrations encourage nature to blossom and bloom, transforming the crossing into an abundant garden. Mixing the real with the imagined, the film explores Hannah’s life and the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

The film has won various awards including:

• Best Director for experimental film at the Garoa film festival Sao Paulo

• Best Sound design for experimental film at the Garoa film festival Sao Paulo

• Outstanding Achievement Award for best Experimental Short LA film festival Indiexfest

• Outstanding Achievement Award for best Fantasy Short LA film festival Indiexfest

• Outstanding Achievement Award for best Female Director LA film festival Indiexfest

• Best Experimental Film Award in the latest edition of Montreal Independent film festival

• Best Experimental Film at Athens International Art Film Festival

• Finalist for best experimental film in the Tokyo film festival

• Finalist for best experimental film in the Play film festival in Paris

• Nominated for Best film in nature category in the Kalikari film festival

• Honorable mention at the Experimental forum

Mixing the real with the imagined, the film explores Hannah’s life in the famous towers via a specially composed musical narrative that weaves through one of many remarkable personal histories from 125 years of the Bridge.

Discover the song at the heart of the Bridge and discover the– until now – hidden sounds of Tower Bridge.