A Common Thread

This short documentary film features Vancouver based slow clothes artisans and their reasons for creating clothes in a more mindful way. Featuring a First Nations weaver from the Musqueam Nation resurrecting the extinct spinning and weaving practices of her elders, the founders of Maiwa Handprints and the issues of textile skill preservation globally and obstacles they have encountered, and others. While examining the slow clothes production process this film examines Ghandi's key concepts from his powerful Khadi movement which are as vital today facing global issues and climate change as they were in liberating India from British rule in 1947.

  • Rosalee Yagihara
    Director
    Gnaw
  • Rosalee Yagihara
    Writer
    Gnaw
  • Rosalee Yagihara
    Producer
    Gnaw
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 20, 2012
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Vancouver Film School
Distribution Information
  • The Green Channel
    Distributor
    Country: Canada
    Rights: Pay Per View
    Country: United States
    Rights: Pay Per View
    Country: Mexico
    Rights: Pay Per View
    Country: France
    Rights: Pay Per View
    Country: Australia
    Rights: Pay Per View
    Country: Germany
    Rights: Pay Per View
Director Biography - Rosalee Yagihara

After extensive travels through South East Asia and residing in Japan as well as New York City, Rosalee returned to her native Vancouver to further her education and to raise her two children, solo. She refined her visual sensibilities at Emily Carr University and has also earned a diploma in film production. She is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada and has over a decade experience working in film & television as an assistant director.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film was inspired after discovering how destructive the fashion industry is on our planet. I delved into the 'slow clothes' movement and was inspired by what makers in my city where creating.

I intersected this with Gandhian philosophy which is a huge inspiration to me and just as relevant today for issues we are facing with climate change as it was in India regaining independence.

This is a film I created in film school in 2012. I have recently submitted it to environmentally focused film festivals as I feel that this is a special film that needs to be seen as the topics discussed are very relevant to the climate crisis we are facing.