July 2019’s Ambassador of the Month: Brett Harvey

(c) Maciek Kalisk

This month we’d like to welcome Brett Harvey as our cultural ambassador for July. Brett is a writer and film director based in Carnon Downs and is currently working on his third feature film. His debut Weekend Retreat won Best Director at the London Independent Film Festival 2012 and his second feature, Brown Willy won the Golden Chough at the Cornwall Film Festival 2016. Brett also put together Cornwall 365’s lovely show reel for the London Cultural Canapé in November 2018. Read on to find out more about his film projects and portfolio…

1. Name / name of business / whereabouts in Cornwall are you based?

Brett Harvey – writer & director based in Truro / Falmouth (well, Carnon Downs so sort of halfway between the two!)

2. What have you done to promote Cornwall’s heritage and culture?

As a writer and director I’ve made three feature films set in Cornwall: Weekend Retreat (set in a second home owners house), Brown Willy (set on the wilds of Bodmin Moor) and my latest film Long Way Back which is about a father and daughter driving home to Cornwall.

I’ve made numerous short films in Cornwall including one in the Cornish language and I’ve made several theatre promos for loads of Cornish based companies including: Kneehigh, o-region, Owdyado, Cscape, Golden Tree, Rabbit, Trifle Gathering…

I’ve also been lucky enough to make a few short films based on Cornish stories which include one about Crofty and one about the Castle Rise area in Truro.

3. What has been your most useful Cornwall 365 experience or tool?

Definitely the What’s On guide.

4. Best experience you’ve experienced (in Cornwall)

Hard to pick just one…when The Darkness played at the SAS was pretty amazing – such a fun night out, seeing (and later filming) Kneehigh’s Tristan & Yseult, performing (alongside my brothers) in Superstition Mountain at the Hall For Cornwall, having one of my own films play at The Plaza in Truro and many, many random, brilliant hilarious nights out with friends.

5. The family taken care of. The business is taken care of. What is your perfect day & evening in Cornwall?

Going for a swim with friends, probably at Trevellas. Taking my dog for a walk (anywhere coastal will do!), then going to the cinema with my partner Emily.

6. You have free tickets to the performance of your choice. Who would you take with you (living or dead)?

Emily is by far my favourite person to watch shows with but it feels like, given I’m being granted the power of resurrection that would be a waste so…I guess David Bowie? The world is certainly a poorer place without him.

7. Most unusual performance space you have been to?

In Cornwall? Too many to choose from. I once went to a quarry party in St Agnes, that was pretty unusual. Outside of Cornwall? I went to see FUERZA BRUTA’s show Look Up in a warehouse in downtown New York…that was a unique night out.

8. Best live music venue in Cornwall

I really like the Old Bakery in Truro.

9. Your favourite walk?

 I love the walk from Carnon Downs to Loe Beach beautiful countryside that ends with a swim in the sea on a dog friendly beach! Perfect.

(c) Maciek Kaliski

10. Best place in Cornwall to get food?

Breakfast – either the Olive Grove or Muddy Beach

Lunch – Potager Café

Pasty – Ann’s (or my Nana’s)

Dinner – can’t beat a good BBQ on the beach

Fish & Chips – Lanner

Roast – The Norway Inn

11. Name one, really different excursion

Travelling to a film festival on the Isle of Mann via the ferry from Liverpool.

12. What’s your 2nd best kept secret about Cornwall?

The mine ruins on Cligga Head.

13. If not Cornwall, where?

In the UK – I’m very fond of Bristol.

Elsewhere – Some friends and I once drove to Carnac in France, that was a pretty special place.

 www.brettharvey.co.uk

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