The Willow Man
As the willow industry faces decline, what do growers and weavers think about their identity and future?
The Willow Man by Olivia McNeilis (21 min, UK, 2018)
“They’re all dying out these old crafts… I tried to get someone to pass my knowledge onto… but how can you pass it on if they’re not willing to, you know, pay? I can’t afford to lose £50- £60 a day.”
The Somerset Levels and Moors is the last region of the UK that grows willow commercially. The willow industry has been in constant decline. This film is a portrait of the last willow growers and craftsmen, as they navigate a complex landscape between past and present, tradition and economic viability; all the while weaving towards a sustainable future.
Further Reading
What does it mean to work with willow in the Somerset Levels, and how are social identities and relationships formed through these practices? Read my accompanying ethnographic essay, Weaving and growing: Materials and identity in the Somerset Levels.