A Message of Warning from One Generation To Another

Many of us think of climate change, energy scarcity and pollution as impersonal issues that affect other people, people belonging to future generations.

So there is an impact when someone from those future generations decides to make a short film about these now-critical issues. The impact is personal, it's here and now, the consequences of mankind's past actions and energy-wasting habits are reflected in the mirror held up by young artists. Is the picture pretty?

You'd have to ask the young artists. 23-year-old Alexander Andreou has submitted his short film 'Transcend' to Virgin Media Shorts about climate change and energy scarcity. We catch up with him in an interview.

1. What inspired your short film 'Transcend'?

Alexander Andreou: "Climate change and energy scarcity have had extensive media coverage in the last few years. We read articles on the recent oil spills, wars for oil, and oil shocks. Yet we do nothing.

I wanted to create a film which had a more powerful, emotional message, a message which would stir people. A message of warning from one generation to another.

I wanted to get people to think about the consequences of over-consumption and the damage they're doing to the next generation.

During the making of Transcend I was continually inspired by those around me, my crew and cast, and the film kept evolving into something better. The strength of Peter’s and Andria's acting skill, inspired me to take a creative leap and focus on the two actors to convey the messages."

2. Where was it shot?

"I searched both in the UK and in Cyprus for a suitable site. In the end we went for a shut-down petrol station in the heart of Nicosia. Apart from the roof there was nothing else there. We found an old petrol pump that we then brought to the site. During the two nights we were filming, car drivers drove in to refuel, thinking the petrol station had opened up again. Of course we had no petrol. The oil you can see on the actor’s hand, is not petrol, but a concoction mixed up my our make up artist Lilly Black."

3. Why enter it into Virginmediashorts?

"We wanted to enter “Transcend” into Virgin Media Shorts, because if the film wins then it will be viewed by millions of people through the exposure Virgin Media will give it through the UK’s cinemas, TV, mobile phones and online. I would love the message to get that kind of exposure. If you want to help us spread the message this message please click on “like” at http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/film/784/transcend"

4. What is your personal philosophy on saving energy and the future of environmentalism?

"My personal philosophy is that although we can each do our bit by recycling, and turning off lights, this is nowhere near enough. If we really want to make a difference we have to come together and share technologies."

5. Tell us a bit more about yourself.

"I am 23 years old, and have studies Film and Interactive Arts at Middlesex University. This gave me a good grounding in the many aspects of film-making from script writing to directing and editing.

I believe film is limitless. There are thousands of possibilities, to show different worlds, exploring different characters, different ways of life.

I want to push the boundaries and experiment, go where other directors and actors haven’t gone before.

I'm planning a short film for this autumn which we'll shoot on location at Polis Chrysochous."

Perhaps surprisingly, the message from Alexander is not angry or bitter, but one of sharing the responsibility to change things for the better. Again, perhaps, this is more than past generations deserve, since they turned a blind eye to the future consequences of oil slicks, oil wars and pollution in general.

Still, the message is optimistic. It's not too late - if we take action now.