'Through Hell and High Water' is my recently completed international feature documentary that tells of a daring rescue carried out by the British Navy at the end of World War ll. The film is told through the poignant love story of Nancy and Archie Kelly (the stars!). Nancy a young Norwegian lass and Archie a tap dancing trumpet playing seaman (serving on the unsung Russian Convoys), would not have met if it had not been for this unprecedented rescue.

A FILMMAKERS JOURNEY

The film was chosen as the focus of the Royal Norwegian Embassy's 'Second Annual SS Henry Bacon Memorial Event' in Washington DC on 23rd February 2004. The Embassy found a most appropriate venue, with a handsome cinema, in The Navy Memorial & Heritage Center. We were surrounded by Navy memorabilia and I'm sure we could hear the ship's bell ringing!

I had attended the inaugural service last year armed with a short clip from the film (then in the editing stages) that highlights the dramatic torpedoing of the 'Bacon' on her journey to Scotland with Convoy RA64. At the time the Ambassador, Knut Vollebaek, asked if I would return and share the finished product with them. In January this year the Cultural Attaché Jon-Åge Øyslebø got in touch and asked if I would come to Washington with the film, without hesitation, I gladly agreed. It was important to go because of what was being commemorated: heroism, courage and compassion. Also, screenings are a filmmaker's lifeblood and it's good to know first hand how your film is received, particularly on the international stage, however scary! (Cont. next page)