Riverhorse has been selected to produce a documentary film for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, which runs alongside the London 2012 Olympics.
The film, called ‘Why We Play’, will be screened in Preston at the Cultural Olympiad’s regional finale, the We Play Expo, September 7-9, which is linked with Preston’s Guild Festival.
Reacting to news of the commission, the film’s Director Mike Todd stated that:
We’re delighted to be involved in producing this project for the Cultural Olympiad. 2012 is a major event for all the UK and we’re excited to be part of what’s happening here in the Northwest.
The vision of London 2012 is to draw on the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire change and the Cultural Olympiad is a major part of that vision. Organisers in the Northwest are aiming to maximise the benefits to the region, during the games and long after.
Talking about the importance of connecting sport and Culture, Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee stated that:
The North West has sport, it has culture and it has Olympians. The North West is a place that knows how to connect sport and culture to communities.
Exploring ideas around the notion of play and what it means to us, the film has a special ‘Hotline’ that people from across the region are being encouraged to call as part of the ‘We Play Challenge’.
Mike Todd, explained that:
The We Play hotline is a chance for people to anonymously describe what the word ‘play’ means to them. We want the film to include voices from across the region.
The line asks people to explain where they grew up and talk about what play inspired them when they were young and how they play now. The number is 0800 066 3620.
