A commission for the Yamagata Creative City Promotion Council in Japan linking it’s UNESCO City of Film status with that of Bradford in West Yorkshire. Filmmaker Louisa Rose Mackleston showcases the beautiful and dramatic landscapes of both cities and what they have to offer to filmmakers by speaking with both Professor David Wilson, formerly of the Bradford Film Office and Mr Wataru Yamakawa, Senior Film Commissioner of Yamagata City of Film about the work being done to transform their...

A commission for the Yamagata Creative City Promotion Council in Japan linking it’s UNESCO City of Film status with that of Bradford in West Yorkshire. Filmmaker Louisa Rose Mackleston showcases the beautiful and dramatic landscapes of both cities and what they have to offer to filmmakers by speaking with both Professor David Wilson, formerly of the Bradford Film Office and Mr Wataru Yamakawa, Senior Film Commissioner of Yamagata City of Film about the work being done to transform their cities into important filmmaking hubs. An aerial over the dramatic volcanic Zao mountain range, part of Yamagata prefecture, covered in mist. Title: The Power of Film Against the Landscape From Yamagata to Bradford The city of Yamagata in northern Japan and montage of the rural landscape surrounding it with Mr Yamakawa Wataru, Senior Film Commissioner for Yamagata UNESCO City of Film talking about what makes the city and its surrounds an importance location for filmmakers. An aerial over the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire featuring Bradford City Hall in the near distance. As Professor David Wilson Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film stand on Main Street in Howarth talking about how the city is a magical place set in amazing countryside more aerials featuring the rural landscape surrounding the city featuring the Thornton Viaduct. As Professor Wilson talks about this landscape being attractive to filmmakers and how the area can double for other parts the country and world one of the Saltaire Lions outside Victoria Hall in Saltaire. As Mr Wataru talks about the work that has been done to make Yamagata prefecture an increasingly popular filming location another montage around the city featuring a waterfall, decorative banners and with Japanese lettering, the city skyline and the restored Oyu water wheel in Zao Onsen behind the Kamiyu communal bathhouse. Over more aerials of the rural landscape around Bradford, Professor Wilson states that the city was designated the world’s first UNESCO city of film in 2009 and has a diverse and rich film heritage dating back to the dawn on cinema with many of the early pioneers connected to the area. Another dramatic aerial over the Zao Range changes to a group of men carrying a large decorative shrine and a montage of other dramatic locations around Yamagata including the Satonomiya Yudonosan Shrine with Mr Wataru explaining how film can empower the local community. Saltaire Mill with Professor Wilson talking about driving sustainable development, providing jobs and prosperity as well as some civic pride. As he talks about contemporary productions such as the television programme Peaky Blinders being made in the area, he explains that the local community becoming engaged with the film heritage of the city. As he speaks people making their way along the Saltaire section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. One of the Saltaire Lions transforming into a different stone lion outside a temple in Yamagata. Another montage around the city featuring a woman praying and the Mogami River ending on people walking the steps to Satonomiya Yudonosan Shrine with Mr Wataru explaining that for him the true purpose of a film commission is to reframe the city and help people rediscover the city through films. Over the closing credits aerials of the Zao mountain range. Title: Planned and Produced by Yamagata City, Yamagata Creative City Promotion Council and Northern Fortress Films Credited: Directed by Louisa Rose Mackleston Title: Featuring Mr Yamakawa Wataru, Senior Film Commissioner for Yamagata UNESCO City of Film Professor David Wilson Directot of Bradford UNESCO City of Film Credit: Japan Cinematography Louisa Rose Mackleston Japan Boom Operator Luke Mackleston Japan Drone Operator Sato Naoki Location Coordination Yamagata Film Commission UK Cinematography Josh Heeley UK Boom Operator Ask Sparkes Drone Footage Tom Box, Haaris Ajaz, Conor MacMahon Production Assistant Georgia Turner-Beach Editor Lily Corke-Butters Post Sound and Colourist Ibitayo ‘Tsaint’ Ibikunle Music by Sam Jones, Christian Anderson Title: Special Thanks Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum, Yamagata Basho Memorial Museum, Satonomiya Yudonosan Shrine Miyuki-Kai, Tohoku University of Art and Design, AIKO Nami, Bradford Film Office, Gage Oxley-Oxygen Films, Sticks and Glass Supported by the Agency for the Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, Fiscal Year 2022 Bradford City of Film: UNESCO Member of the Creative Cities Network Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan Northern Fortress Films End title: Yamagata City of Film