Rückenwind

Leo Kaserer is a human alien.

Living and working in Kingsand, a small fishing village in Cornwall, UK, but originating from Austria, he is far from home, in both distance and culture.

However, although this Austrian man, of stocky build, long hair, cool yellow glasses and worn woolen jumper, is technically a ‘foreigner’, you could not find a more Cornish-Austrian. Through a chance meeting with Malcolm Baker, the last traditional fisherman left in the joint villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, Leo began to learn about traditional fishing methods and embraced a new, simpler way of life that relies on community spirit, hard work and determination.

With a background in youth and social work he was always looking for ways he could enrich young peoples lives with the same experiences that had changed his so dramatically, and then he saw Two Sisters.

Two Sisters was a 100 year old fishing boat, in desperate need of restoration. Leo and Malcolm had an idea to involve 5 young people from all over Europe to restore Two Sisters. The boat would then be used by the community to teach children how to fish and row. The 5 Europeans: Markus, Ville, Fabian, Harry and Peter came from challenging and diverse backgrounds, each with their own issues that have prevented them going in the right direction in their own lives.

Leo’s project built a team of friends, who a month ago were strangers, to complete a physical and demanding task.

Production Notes

This is a short 20 minute film that documents a small part of the process the group undertook while in Cornwall. The film has been released around the U.K to overwhelmingly positive audiences and shall be distributed through public screenings, online media, DVD and via television across Europe in 2012.

A German translation of the film will be released this year and plans for a follow up documentary focusing on one or two of the main characters is in pre production. The film was produced in association with Leo Kaserer and Youth In Action, shot on location in Cornwall. We would like to wish the project volunteers the very best and a big thank you to the residents of Kingsand and Cawsand for their continued support.

For more information on YIA: www.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm