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A decade in the wilderness: Revisiting Jake Williams in ‘Bogancloch’
A return to the forest
Thirteen years ago, the world was introduced to Jake Williams, a former sailor living off the grid in the middle of a forest, through the film “Two Years at Sea.” This year, filmmaker Ben Rivers returns to Williams’ unique homestead with “Bogancloch,” a sequel that explores how much, or how little, has changed in the decade since.
Bogancloch is set to premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, with its first trailer now available for viewing. The film, self-produced by Rivers and supported by Screen Scotland, will also be featured in the International Competition at Locarno and will have its U.K. premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 18.
A life less ordinary
The official synopsis of “Bogancloch” describes it as a portrayal of Jake Williams’ life in a vast highland forest in Scotland. The film captures his existence through the changing seasons, with occasional interactions with other people. At its core, the film presents a poetic argument between life and death, each vying for dominance. Unlike traditional documentaries, “Bogancloch” eschews exposition, aiming instead to capture a different reality through discrete moments.
The making of ‘Bogancloch’
A long-standing relationship
Ben Rivers first met Jake Williams in 2005. Living in London at the time, Rivers was fascinated by the idea of living in the wilderness, detached from urban society. This curiosity led him to Jake through a mutual friend. Their initial meeting resulted in a short film titled “This is My Land,” which marked the beginning of a long-term friendship and collaboration.
The allure of off-grid living
Rivers’ interest in Jake’s lifestyle was twofold. On a personal level, he was questioning his own way of living and was drawn to nature. As a filmmaker, he saw the potential for a compelling documentary subject. Jake’s evolving, eclectic homestead provided the perfect backdrop for a film. Despite living alone and largely off-grid, Jake’s friendly and welcoming nature made the project even more intriguing.
Communication challenges
Given Jake’s off-grid lifestyle, communication has always been a challenge. Initially, they communicated through a landline that ran through the forest. Nowadays, Jake has email access via a dongle, although his emails are brief. Sometimes, he has to walk a mile up a hill to get a better internet signal, which he humorously refers to as his “Internet cafe.”
A unique documentary approach
Visual consistency and evolution
“Bogancloch” maintains visual consistency with “Two Years at Sea” by being shot in black and white on 16mm film. However, this time, Rivers has included a few color shots and introduced other people into Jake’s world. These color shots provide a glimpse into Jake’s environment and hint at a potential future film that might explore his world more in color.
Beyond traditional documentaries
Rivers’ approach to filmmaking differs from traditional fly-on-the-wall documentaries. He gives a lot of direction and does multiple takes, with clear images and scenes in mind from the very beginning. This method allows him to create a more structured and collaborative film, rather than a straightforward observational documentary.
Focus on the present
Rivers prefers to focus on the present and imagine the future rather than delve into Jake’s past. Subtle clues about Jake’s history are provided through photographs, music, and small details, but there is no comprehensive backstory. This approach allows the audience to piece together Jake’s life while remaining immersed in his current reality.
Balancing aesthetics and content
Creating a dreamlike atmosphere
Aesthetically, Rivers aims for a dreamlike, atmospheric feel rather than an explanatory approach. The black-and-white aesthetic simplifies the busy visuals of Jake’s world, while the few color shots serve as a teaser for a potential future film. Rivers’ goal is to create a mood that complements the content, providing a unique viewing experience.
Looking ahead
A long-term project
Rivers envisions making another film about Jake in 10 years, allowing him to explore how Jake’s life and the world around him continue to evolve. This long-term project reflects Rivers’ commitment to documenting Jake’s unique lifestyle and their enduring friendship. As Rivers puts it, he will continue making films with Jake “until one of us dies.”
For those interested in exploring Jake Williams’ world further, you can watch the trailer for Bogancloch and revisit the original film, Two Years at Sea.
This article aims to provide an in-depth look at the making of “Bogancloch” and the unique relationship between Ben Rivers and Jake Williams. For cinema and documentary enthusiasts, this film offers a rare glimpse into a life lived off the grid, captured through the lens of a filmmaker dedicated to his craft.
