A new film by legendary duo Mickey Smith and Allan Wilson called “Hunros Jorna’ is set to be released Thursday 10 March.
As you would expect it is amazing well shot with contributions from a whole tribe of amazing filmers, and edited with an unsurpassed love of oceanic waves, storms, coastal environments and some really heavy water charging that can only come from a lifetime observing and living in these extreme elements.
It is set to a haunting Cornish language (Kernewek) translation of Mickeys words over his own sound track it’s already probably our favourite film of the year, and it’s just March.
We caught up with Mickey to ask about the film, and his opinions on the unique Cornish lifestyle and heritage that has aways dragged him home to his roots west Kernow.
What is the main inspiration behind the film?
I think we both set out to try and pay some kind of tribute to the heartbeats, lands and seascapes that have given us so much. To translate some of that feeling through the magic of Kernewek. Also hopefully in some way show the kids of these places that if misfits like us can weather all the things we have and still manage to get out into the world and find a little magic each day, then they can to.
Obviously you have traveled the world to some amazing places. What has always brought you home to Cornwall.
Family and connection to the land and sea I guess. I’ve been lucky enough to have made it to some pretty far flung corners but Kernow has something you can’t quite put your finger on here that is completely unique to the end of the land. I spent a long time working toward chasing mad missions at sea, building on the knowledge the coastlines here gave me and taking that as far as I could really. We ended up living in Ireland for 10 years at the peak of that path, a very special time in a very special place that I will always be grateful for. Kernow has always called me back home though, there’s nowhere else quite like it as far as I’m concerned. Pure magic.
What made you set the narration in Cornish.
I grew up here with a sense of a Cornish language through my Nan and through the place names here. Lots of people seem to be told it’s a ‘forgotten’ language but I soon realised that if people still speak, communicate and celebrate through it then it’s very much alive. To me it’s pure magic, an absolute treasure and to hear it spoken so beautifully by Gwenno in our film is a dream come true, it honestly sparks so much emotion in me. Full credit has to go to Gwenno and her Dad for doing such an incredible sensitive job translating from my words. Language is one of the foundations of our human ability to communicate, create, connect & assert ourselves & our experiences in the world. To learn and grow through stories both of our own and from others. To me Kernewek is something to be treasured that is for everyone to enjoy, not just Cornish people. I love the sounds and the heart contained within it. It is ancient, beautiful, poetic and it’s from the very bones of these mystical isles we all live on now. Why wouldn’t we celebrate that, connect to this land in a way that is completely in tune with the feeling contained here, something truly unique. I was recently told we lose a human language somewhere in the world every 40 days, and with that so much deep culture and connection to locality. This film speaks straight from our own hearts and the Cornish language element seems to add an ethereal deeper resonance to that feeling, for me at least. Even if you’ve never heard it before it’s like you can feel what it’s trying to say somehow.
There is a lot of reference to the roots of the surf community in there. People just drawn on similar paths. Connections that I feel are over looked in most surf and mainstream media. Do you see any common characteristics among the salt rats.
The little community of salt rats I grew up in here shaped so much of my identity and world view. We never had much and used whatever we could get hold of to get in the salt. Together we stepped outside the confines and difficulties of our daily lives and learned to look out for each other whilst challenging each other to take on new experiences and look at our surroundings in alternative ways. To find the magic. To connect in camaraderie, even if it was subconscious. We all shared the common characteristics of being slightly odd, not quite fitting in and the sea was the thread that bound us all together. It gave us sanctuary and a sense of place in the world. The ocean doesn’t solve your problems for you but it sure as hell makes them feel better for a little while. This is what’s at the heart of riding waves for me.
The Cornish became recognised as a national minority in 2014 by the UK and EU, but despite this I feel the Cornish life has never been more under threat – second homes taking away rentals that were the core of many communities, local and relationships populations being split, a certain scorn of locals by incomers who don’t understand the ties and traditions. Do you feel this in west Cornwall? What can be done.
We have a deep rooted cultural resonance in this place that goes right back beyond the Bronze Age. Kernow was recognised as in that way by the EU for a reason. It’s not outrageous to say that there are people in ‘high places’ with massive monetary vested interests in making sure Cornwall doesn’t get to far back down the path of its own identity. Although there are myriad ways of looking at this, as someone who has grown up here and been lucky enough to experience other cultures around the world, I can hand on heart say there is something rare here that needs looking after. Kernewek is the voice and heartbeat of this and that is truly something to celebrate. It’s a special place that is for everyone to enjoy – but for everyone to enjoy the raw beauty and feeling here – we also need to create urgent awareness, to nurture and preserve our communities, look after local families who are struggling to put food on the table, stay in their homes and live a simple life in the places that created them. If you take the heart out of a place, what is left behind? It’s not just in the interests of people who live here, but for anyone who enjoys the spirit that’s still fiercely alive here. There needs to be some balance, understanding and care taken to ensure the heart of isolated communities keeps beating strong for centuries to come.
We have just had one of the stormiest winters for many years. I know you have a meticulous eye for detail when within waves and wind. Are all storms the same or do you feel some almost have different peculiarities, almost like personalities.
Seems like every storm definitely has a personality of it’s own. So much energy moving and sparking around. I absolutely love it out in the wild pard, you know me. True simple connection to the divine when those storm personalities come rattling through.
We’ve known each other quite a while now and it seems like you live a life of serendipitous adventure. Do you have any plans of the coming year or years.
More of the same just trying to keep the wild dreams alive pard. I’ve got another Blaze of Feather record ‘Claires Lane’ coming out the week after this film, so hopefully people connect with that and then it’s back to it and feel out what comes with the next storm, armed with a grin.
