Its not every day that WE Vancouver speaks to someone whos in a Yucat谩n jungle preparing to visit an ancient Mayan burial site. Consequently, its impossible to resist asking Erin Northcott whether she finds such circumstances the least bit strange
Not at all, she counters. Our mom said that if she could have any wish, it would be that [my brother] Dan and I become global citizens. So that we dont just feel like were citizens of Canada but that were citizens of the world. And I would say that both Dan and I feel at home anywhere in the world and in any culture.
In 2000, 20-year-old Daniel Northcott left 麻豆传媒映画for what he intended to be a decade of globetrotting. Filming his every encounter and experience, Daniel planned to cap his travels by assembling an elaborate documentary that celebrated interconnectedness and advanced his theory that all living things [were] one brilliant and beautiful organism.
However, his life took a tragic turn after visiting that aforementioned Mayan cave in 2007. Ignoring his travelling companions adamant warnings that the remains were charged with bad vibes and would bring illness to anyone who tampered with them, he removed a calcified bone from the burial site. Months later, Daniel previously the picture of health was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Diligently filming his ensuing battle with bone marrow cancer and editing his existing footage right up until his death in 2009, he left Erin a 40-minute sketch of the documentary he envisioned and asked that she complete it on his behalf.
And while she readily accepted the responsibility of finishing Daniels work, the childcare worker who had zero filmmaking experience was unprepared for the enormity and expense of the task shed taken on.
A recent alliance with Los Angeles likeminded Elevate Films whose mandate is to celebrate and elevate the human experience has certainly bolstered Erins confidence. Recalling her first meeting with Elevate founder Mikki Willis whos since assumed directorial duties on the film now entitled Be Brave and his team, she remarks, It was really amazing to be with these people who understood Dans message and wanted to be a part of it.
But before Willis combs through the staggering 1,000 hours of footage captured by Daniel, he has another chapter to shoot himself in the Yucat谩n. After linking up with Erin, hell film her as she makes amends for her brothers transgression by returning that bone to its original resting place.
I know that Dan wanted to take that bone back because its a sacred object... Dan filmed everything in his life and people would like it if we filmed the return of the bone, explains Erin, before marvelling, This story just seems to go on. Its been filmed in over 42 countries... Then, a battle with leukaemia... Then, a death... Now, a return of a sacred object to a Mayan cave... Then, well see what happens.
That said, Erin has a very clear idea of when her brothers dying wish will have been fulfilled: When the film has been seen by audiences internationally.
I think that Dans intention was to get his message of interconnectedness out to as many parts of the world of possible. My mission is complete when that happens.
More information on Be Brave and its crowdfunding campaign can be found at
