Wheat – Will Ye No Come Back Again

A Scottish soldier passes through a field of wheat.

A Great War reenactor from the Flanders Jocks moves through the allegory of wheat. (Image from Flanders Jocks via Pipes of War Facebook site).

A Powerful Allegory

This all started with a reminder of wheat blowing across the fields to the beat of the wind, anchored to this good earth.

This earth, this place that keeps us despite all that we have attempted to carve from it. A recent post by the Flanders Jocks of a Scottish soldier standing within the sway sent me upon the trail to a film delivered to my stage at an appropriate time. That film was Gladiator, the story of Maximus, a story of strength, honour, family and home. Scene upon scene there are details that have remained; not least the passing of Maximus’ hand through the reminders of his other life, his farm, his harvest…his home.

We feel this wheat as the soft tassels pass through “our” hands, we feel the emotion, we feel the connection, we become part of these moving images. Wheat, known to many as a symbol of resurrection, reminds us we are connected to this good earth, to the sun and to the heavens. Though we may not know what tomorrow will bring, it is our universal desire to find our home that keeps us.


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

One Response to “Wheat – Will Ye No Come Back Again”

  1. pferguson pferguson says:

    Will Ye No Come Back Again sung by Jean Redpath.

    Though we will all pass through the door, I remind myself, “But not yet. Not yet.”

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