Biscuit Filmworks Collaborates on Heartbreaking Calais Jungle Film

Producer Samantha Chitty and DP Dan Bronks have come together with Biscuit Filmworks to make a film in aid of HelpRefugees.org.uk. The idea came about after Chitty spent time volunteering at the Calais refugee camp known as 'The Jungle', and became aware of the desperate situation of the refugees. Many families were sleeping in tents inadequate to protect them from the winter weather. Despite the good supply of volunteers, the charity lacked money to buy building materials for better shelters. When Chitty mentioned the problem to Dan Bronks, the idea for a fundraising film was born. Dan and Samantha headed to the camp with a drone operator (Kashfi Halford), a camera assistant (Nick Ball) & Jason Berman (Love High Speed). 

 " ‘Help Refugees’ were an incredible aid to us whilst filming there," explained Chitty,  "Annie (who looks after donations in the camp) chaperoned us and introduced us to refugees who were willing to be filmed.  We met so many inspiring people from Syrian pop stars to unaccompanied teenagers to Afghani men who’d fought for the British army. It was an incredibly humbling experience.  We also received an overwhelming show of support from our colleagues in the film industry. People offered their services without even being asked; our camera house,editor, colourist, sound mixer, flame op, everyone worked tirelessly to finish the film.  Thank you also to Biscuit Filmworks and all the sponsors who helped make it possible.  As we have all seen from recent news bulletins, the situation is getting worse for refugees in Europe.  They are fleeing war-torn countries, in the hundreds of thousands, in the hopes of a safer life elsewhere.  Hopefully this film will raise lots of money so that ‘Help Refugees’ can make that happen."

The final version of the film shows the daily life of the refugees in the camp using both drone footage and close up views of the camp's residents, showing not only their heart breaking situation, but their resilient spirit. The voice over is provided by Zoe Ball.