The White Arrow
A guitar, a camera and one of histories greatest thresholds - this is the story of discovering creative rebirth through one of the world’s great journeys: the Trans Siberian Express.
Arriving in St Petersburg with 15,000 miles before him, Jim Kroft thought over Alexander Blok’s words “Russia stares at you with hatred and with love”.
Before him lay the most misunderstood country on earth, a country seen primarily through the political annexation of the Crimea and Bob Mueller’s “Russia Investigation”
Jim felt that to grasp an understanding of the country that there were two imperatives. First, he had to cross it in winter, second it had to be done solo.
With a guitar and a camera he thus set out with the hope of discovering the true heart of Russia; its people, its culture, and its longings.
Along the way something magical would happen.
Unknown in the country, the story of a Scottish musician playing every city across the Trans Siberian express captures Russia’s heart. As interest spreads through the Russia’s youth the journey would find the most unexpected apotheosis in its climax in Vladivostok.
This is a tale of how a young artist and a vast continent capture each others imagination, and through the unlikeliest of bonds, reflect something of their own spirits onto one another.
“The White Arrow” is a celebration of the DIY attitude, making documentary solo, and the belief that every boundary can be broken down with a curious heart (…and enough of Dmitry’s home made vodka)
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Jim KroftDirectorThe March of Hope
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Jim KroftProducerThe March of Hope
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Tim JoppienExecutive ProducerThe March of Hope
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Project Type:Documentary
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Genres:Documentary, Music, Travel, Bio, Humanity
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Runtime:1 hour 21 minutes 44 seconds
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Completion Date:September 21, 2017
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Production Budget:10,000 EUR
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Country of Origin:Germany
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Country of Filming:Germany, Russian Federation
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Language:English, Russian
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
Jim Kroft is a British film maker and musician living in Berlin. Jim is the director of "The March of Hope" which in 2018 screened in 50 film festivals worldwide, winning over 20 awards including ten best documentaries.
As a musician, Jim is published on "BMG Rights Worldwide" and has a new album "Love in the Face of Fear" ready for release in 2019.
Jim's work is an exploration of the world, its people and and what unites us all.
„The Russian Investigation“ in America and its ubiquity in the press have, I think, led to a lop sided perspective of a Russia. I hope this film provokes a new conversation.
The Russian poet Alexander Block wrote that „Russia stares at you with hatred and with love“ - and it is a duality that I understand. But the point is that Russia is staring back at the face that you give to it.
This is a portrait of the country which was revealed to me. The dreams of its artists and musicians, the hospitality of its people, and the most exciting rock n roll shows I was lucky enough to play.
I tackled Russia alone & in winter because I just didn‘t think there was any other way that it might reveal something of its heart. Along the way I noticed how consistently amazed Russian people were that I was taking this journey; as if they themselves understood its enormity.
The film is old fashioned DIY, its budget comprised of the 30 gigs I played. There was no film team; just myself & the snow. During it I composed the music and on return I cut it. It‘s something the Russians, more than anyone appreciated - that sometimes your deepest contribution can only come out of extremity.
By tackling Russia first hand, and by stepping out of the news cycle, it chose to reveal something of its heart. This film is my inelegant attempt to bottle just a fraction of what I came across.