Across the Big Water
Exploring stories of indigenous visitors to Britain from what is now 鈥楴orth America鈥�.
Exploring stories of indigenous visitors to Britain from what is now called North America.
From the moment Europeans began visiting North America, indigenous 'Americans' have been visiting Europe, sometimes willingly, sometimes under coercion. Many were captured and sold into slavery, and others were brought to Europe to be displayed before royalty.
Later, still more visited for diplomacy, as actors and performers, soldiers and educators, sportspeople and as artists. The impacts of these visits are still relevant today, but the relationships between contemporary Indigenous peoples and communities in Britain, connected by the British Imperial legacy, are not always visible.
The film is based on stories being mapped and explored by the team on Beyond the Spectacle: Native North American Presence in Britain - David Stirrup & Kate Rennard at the University of Kent; Jacqueline Fear-Segal and Jack Davy at UEA; and Coll Thrush at the University of British Columbia. Beyond the Spectacle, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, examines the history of Native North American travel to Britain, and illuminates the ongoing legacies of Indigenous-British relations.
Animation Direction by Aaron Jay Babla, based on illustrations by Chad Yellowjohn. Narrated by Jules Koostachin. Music composer Chris Reed. Produced by Holly Churches.
The film is a Calling the Shots production for the Arts and Humanities Research Council supported by 成人快手 Arts Culture in Quarantine
