In Birmingham where we had a premiere screening of the film last night – in the hometown of our UK producers Pip Piper and Rob Taylor of Bluehippomedia. The event was sponsored by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, thus becoming another partnership with international mental health providers who have a concern for reducing stigma. It was another great night out with a full house and loads of positive feedback.

The Q&A was stimulating and helped to shed light on many of the themes of the film. It concluded with a wonderful explanation from Rawiri Paratene of the tikanga of the wero in the film. He drew out the symbolism as a metaphor for all forms of human encounter in which differences are bridged – a powerful conclusion to  a wonderful night. And another affirmation of how the story we are telling bridges both distances and cultures.

So as we draw near the end of our time in Britain, it’s sobering to think that our film is winning audiences on the far side of the world. What an astonishing journey we have begun – we take none of it for granted. And as the story of Arthur finds its way in the world, we’re just grateful for the essential human goodness which lies at the heart of it and seems to accompany it wherever it travels.

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