Staffordshire University filmmakers sharing story of war tank discovered underneath battlefield
To mark the end of the First World War centenary, filmmakers from Staffordshire University are sharing the story of a war tank discovered buried underneath a battlefield.
‘Deborah’, a 27-ton tank was uncovered by local resident Philippe Gorczynski MBE in Cambrai, France, in 1998 after lying dormant for more than eight decades.
Over the past six years, filmmakers Fiona Graham and Paul Ottey have been working with communities in France and the UK to tell the story of the rare Mark IV tank, her crew and the 1917 Battle of Cambrai.
Now, they have been selected to share their research this week during the ‘Living Legacies Festival’ in Belfast - a variety of free public activities marking the final celebrations of the First World War centenary.
Fiona, associate professor of film production, said: “We are honoured to be invited by Queen’s University Belfast to the International First World War heritage event Living Legacies.
“I think what really appealed to the organisers is that Deborah is no longer a war-making machine, she’s a peace-making machine bringing communities and people together.”
The research project, which received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), uses novel 4K and drone digital film technologies and techniques. Throughout filming, Fiona and Paul worked closely with relatives of the tank’s crew, the Royal Tank Regiment, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The final documentary shows Deborah’s journey to her final resting place with the creation of a new unique tank museum in Flesquieres in France – beside the Commonwealth War Graves site of her crew.
Paul, senior lecturer in film production, said: “Working for the past few years with the Royal Tank Regiment, families of the tank and the communities in France and Britain, it’s been wonderful to film and capture the story for longevity using various 4K and drone footage.”
Paul and Fiona have also been visiting schools in both Cambrai and Staffordshire to share their work with pupils.
Fiona said: “It’s been great to speak to pupils in France and the UK to engage the next generation, so they learn about WW1 through film.
“Although this is the end of the Centenary commemorations, it isn’t the end of Deborah’s journey. We’ll continue to explore new ways of telling her story and our next aim is to do this through immersive technologies – so watch this space!”
View a short version of the film 'Tank Deborah' via - https://vimeo.com/336567606
