Two amateurs set out to cross the North Atlantic Ocean - in a little wooden row boat.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Israel Cannan

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I heard about two amateurs who wanted to set out across one of the most dangerous oceans on the planet in a wooden row boat. I knew nothing about rowing, but the story reeled me in.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This is a not just an adventure story, it’s a story about being human and why we do the things we do. It’s entertainment mixed with inspiration.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

It’s all about the 'why?'. Why would two guys that lead pretty decent lives with life long partners and kids want to risk everything on the high seas? It’s a story about overcoming personal demons and building character more than it is about rowing in an ocean.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

This story wasn’t going to be told otherwise. As a director, I came in late, I came in green, not really knowing how to make a film and also not even knowing how to approach this particular narrative. Two guys all alone on the ocean trying to stay alive was a case of rolling the dice and seeing what we were left with in the end. The editing process took many painstaking hours to pull together a cohesive story and attempt to match the stakes the men went through.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I’ve received solid feedback from some of my peers and mentors, but the film hasn’t gone out to a larger-scale audience just yet.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It’s encouraged me to stay the course.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

More opportunities to collaborate and tell great stories.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Festival Directors and journalists predominantly.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I’d like to think that I’ve done the story some kind of justice with the parts I had to work with, the story itself is an amazing one.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

It’s all about the 'why?'. Why risk everything on a silly little dream? Why are dreams even important? The film should raise a challenge to audiences to live their dreams.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Working on a fictional television series and getting some interest.

Interview: June 2018

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Fish Out Of Water

Two amateurs set out to cross the North Atlantic Ocean - in a little wooden row boat.

Length: 79 mins

Director: Israel Cannan

Producer: Israel Cannan

Writer: Israel Cannan

About the writer, director and producer: Former actor & touring songwriter turned filmmaker, Israel Cannan landed roles in TV/film and shared stages as a musician with the likes of Passenger, Ben Howard, Matt Corby, before focusing on the art of visual storytelling.

Key cast: Pete Fletcher, Tom Hudson, Beth Fletcher & Jodie Burton.

Looking for: film festival directors & journalists

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fishoutofwaterstory