The Somnambulists by Richard Jobson

In a world dictated to and dominated by the selling of product it’s empowering to see ‘The Somnabulists’ a self financed film directed by Richard Jobson.
Enraged by our general apathy towards the war in Iraq the film is a dramatization of events inspired by the testimonies of British servicemen and women who were directly involved in the conflict in Basra.
Challenging and thought provoking it gives voice and life back to those that have lost theirs in the hope that we will waken from our slumbered acceptance of the untold damage and consequence of war.
Numbed by media saturated images and increasingly shocking content this film is simple, stark and bold in the message it conveys. As each ‘soldier’ talks about their experiences the camera glides into the lives that might have been and the people they left behind to paint a visual and emotional picture that remains with you long after the final harrowing scene.
As Jobson says ‘Like many people I was angered by the Iraq war and like most people did nothing about it. This is my response to that apathy. In the film although it appears that the speakers are the ghostly presence it is, in fact, we the audience who are the Somnambulists. It is us who were sleep walking in the build up to the war and its tragic aftermath.’

Meeting up with Richard Jobson I’ve been privileged to preview this film several times and I urge you all to go to
The World Premiere of THE SOMNAMBULISTS on Friday 14 October with additional screenings on Saturday 15 and Monday 17 October at the 55th BFI London Film Festival 2011

The Somnambulists ‘Trailer’ from Steven Sander on Vimeo.

kalectiv – directors showreel

directing and producing short form projects, commercials, shorts, trailers, idents, virals and pop promos
Kalectiv have built an affiliation of visual artists capable of fulfilling any brief with freshness and originality.
Does it tell the story? Does it entertain? This is our Mantra.
If the medium is the message, then the word on the street is that we need a new kind of ‘hybrid’ film-maker….
someone with the skills of both director and stills photographer.

For me being part of such a Kalectiv crew of creativity is a real honour and seeing my work stand up with the blonde android in BladeRunner (aka Rutger Hauer from the Guinness Ads) just gives me goosebumps!!!!
Thanks again and huge respect to all.

Kalectiv Directors ShowReel

Paintball

I had a lot of fun making this short film. It doesn’t really have a story to tell. There’s no psycho babble message to convey. It’s just me and a group of guys having a blast, running down corridors, setting off smoke bombs and lighting fires in car tyres.
I found this great location, this amazing derelict building with a bunch of Colombians playing Paintball in its ruins and
I got to film the images that crowded my head.
I saw the golden light and I followed it……

paintball by john hicks

paintball team by john hicks

paintballer by john hicks

sergio paintball by john hicks

cesar paintball by john hicksband of brothers by john hicks

Lapland

John Hicks Lapland

I’m crossing Lake Inari in Lapland now where the days are long and the sun never seems to set.
I’m heading north into the Arctic Circle on the border where Finland meets the Motherland.
Will be blissfully & unfashionably out of contact for a while.
Will send photos and edited footage as soon as I re establish communication with the outside world.
There’s no electricity or internet.
I may be out of touch for a while so forgive the bad blogging practice.
I do feel guilty BUT…..I’m really looking forward to it!!!