"EYES OF FIRE"
is a film production and collaboration
between Artists, Young People,
and Community Development Workers
in East Cleveland, England
to create a contemporary music video
that captures the spirit and the imagination
of the local people and their environment.

The idea of making this film in the region
evolved from a creative drama group calling themselves
"The Warriors of the Rainbow".
This group was formed by the
East Cleveland Community Development Team
and supported by the Rural Media Resource
created by Village Arts at Stable House, Loftus.

Participating Artists were:

Dave Brunskill, Sue Kane, Lorna Moone, Josepha Rogocki.

with production support from :
Cath Marshall, Lisette Grout, John Hukin,
Deborah Gibbin, Carl Harrison, Nick Daniel, and Russell Lett.

The soundtrack for "Eyes of Fire"
was composed by local Musician Mark Lindsell
with assistance from Steve Corner and Julie Wilson.

Chief Tom Thunderhorse spoke the narrative sections
for "Eyes of Fire".

We are grateful to work with Chief Tom,
an Apache/Cherokee Spirit Chief
and Poet from Santa Rosa, California.

SYNOPSIS

The 'Warriors of the Rainbow' project aimed to
provide young people in East Cleveland
with access to production facilities and
the support and encouragement needed
to develop new creative work.

Linked to a long term media development project
initiated by Village Arts,
this production combines several artforms
and brought together several Artists
and many other members of the local community,
of all ages and backgrounds.

INSPIRATION

The project took its inspiration
from an Ancient Native American Prophecy :

There once was an old woman called
" Eyes of Fire ", of the Cree tribe of Northern America
who made this prophecy...

"When the earth is sick, when the fish die in the
streams, the birds fall from the air, the waters are
blackened and the trees would no longer be, there will
come together a tribe of people from every creed and
culture who will restore the earth to its former beauty.

These people are the keepers of the legends, stories,
culture and myths, and all the ancient tribal customs.
They will be known as the Warriors of the Rainbow."

PRODUCTION

Production took place through a series of
'production workshops'
at Stable House that lasted for almost 3 months
at the end of 1997.
Artists worked with youngsters to develop
the wonderful animations,
the amazing costumes, the sets,
and all the dance and mime routines.
A short documentary was also be made
about the making of the `Eyes of Fire` film.

PRESENTATION

The finished film and documentary were screened locally
at a special Premiere at Loftus Town Hall in February 1998.

There was a capacity audience who enjoyed
a tremendous atmosphere and delicious buffet.

`Eyes of Fire` was premiered at the
UK Bradford Animation Festival
and at Hiroshima `98, Japan,
in a special programme arranged by
the ASIFA Workshops Group.



VHS copies of the film and the supporting documentary
were made for distribution to participants.

SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to the Carnegie UK Trust, Village Arts Ltd., East Cleveland Community Development Team, The National Lottery through the Arts Council of England, Redcar & District Council, Tees & District Health Promotion, Heath Education Authority, for their financial support.

Special thanks to John Hukin and the children of Rosecroft School, Loftus. Also Neena Nerkar of Tyne Tees TV News.

©Animha 2000 all rights reserved