Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace

Building Bridges is a portrait of Bill Youren, a Hawke's Bay farmer, peace activist and political organiser for the left — an unusual combination in conservative 1950s New Zealand. John Chrisstoffels' first feature-length documentary uses Youren's film footage, taken with a "trusty" 8mm camera, capturing his visits to China ( almost closed off to Westerners during the Cold War period) and his DIY farming techniques. In this trailer, biographer and co-scriptwriter James Beattie comments on how Youren's home movies provide an insight into Chinese society during a secretive time.

To visit China in 1952 would almost be akin to going to the Moon...

– James Beattie, Bill Youren's biographer, on his visits to China in the Cold War period

Key Cast & Crew

Alexandra Porter

Producer

James Beattie

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Richard Bullen

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Subject

Geoff Robinson

As: Voice of Bill Youren

Paul Millar

Writer, Associate Producer, Subject

John Chrisstoffels

Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Associate Producer