28th September 2011

Well, here we are...the UK premiere. It was one of those dates that went in the diary and seemed a LONG way away and now here we are. The Royal Geographical Society tonight (all invited!) should be a great place to launch the film. There will be lots of guests, that's for sure and we've great prizes for the raffle...but, above all, it will be a good way to show the film to the UK for essentially the first time.

I feel so honoured that Michael Morpurgo is coming to introduce the film - and it's been great to have so many messages of support from friends and colleagues. One has to be realistic too: this won't be a red carpet premiere that precedes month-long runs in the cinemas of the country. We have a target of 100 arthouse screenings...and we'll see. Certainly we've been getting some good press coverage: Voice of America, BFBS, Afghan Voice Radio, BBC World News, BBC Radio Sussex, BBC Asian Network, Press TV, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, Independent on Sunday and more... How much impact any of it has is impossible to gauge... I know that the positive press we have had in the past for In Search of Mozart and In Search of Beethoven does make a difference - and made both films great successes - but social docs are so tough. I guess, maybe, at the end of the day films are supposed to entertain and peopel fear a lecture from docs that report on the problems of the world... As I say, we have invested a fortune in time and money this year to shoot the film out of its rocket and by the end of November we'll have to step back and see whether it reaches any stars...(sorry about the metaphor...!! I do try to be an artists, you know!).

Anyway, it's time to dust off a suit and make my way to London - CNN want an interview at 4pm - now that could be very useful. And let's hope we raise a lot of money for charity and Mir tonight.

Friday 16th September - The Boy Mir, 10 Years in Afghanistan

Last month my colleague Shoaib very kindly and, as always, at some risk, organised for Mir to come to Mazar in the north where Shaoib organised identity cards and bank accounts for him, Khoshdel and Abdul. Yesterday we were able to transfer funds to them – which, in Mir’s case, he will be using to secure his future. More on that another time. We will be continuing to hopefully raise funds for them all via the new film THE BOY MIR – TEN YEARS IN AFGHANISTAN but, so far, though people are extremely moved sometimes by the film that hasn’t translated into donations. Maybe I should have been more specific about Mir or the school rather than saying all donations will be split between Mir, Save the Children and AfghanAid? Anyway, we have a big premiere at the Royal Geographical Society on the 28th September. Tickets on sale now! All income from that will go to those three. And maybe there is a knight (or princess) in shining armour out there… Either way, we are all working very hard on the film’s release and are thrilled by today’s Guardian piece – check it out.

Phil Grabsky's Blog - Armadillo - Review

Armadillo - Movie Review by Phil Grabsky



Rating: 5 STARS

Having worked on and off in Afghanistan for past decade (making a film The Boy Mir - Ten Years in Afghanistan) I was really interested to see this film. Yes, it is another film from the POV of the foreign soldiers - and maybe we need more from the ANA or ANP perspective (but broadcasters don't want to fund those) - but I have to say I think this is the best I've seen. Restrepo, Where Soldiers Come From, and many more are all interesting, often brave, often powerful films but the sheer humanity of this film really gets to you. Brave young guys suddenly fighting for their lives in a ditch in the middle of no-where. And, don't forget, the film-makers in the same ditch - and they too have kids at home, wives & parents waiting by the phone. It doesn't tell the whole story - no film can - but you have to see it.

Armadillo is currently available to watch on 4OD. For more information please visit the official website

Phil Grabsky's Blog - Milan - The Boy Mir, In Search of Haydn, Leonardo Live.

Milan 28 August 2011: well, I know I moan about funding and stuff but some days are really worth all the headaches. Today was one. I started before dawn to drive up to Heathrow airport to catch the early flight to Milan. I know they take a lot of stick but I really enjoy flying BA (most of the time) and this was, again, a nice comfortable flight. Then, after the long train ride into Milano Centrale (one of the greatest train terminals in the world), I was at my hotel by midday. Then began a typical day of working on three projects at once. To begin with I did 2 hours of emails concerning the Boy Mir film. The recent screenings in NY, LA and Chicago were, overall, very successful in terms of generating reviews and interest. The actual screenings were poorly attended (but so were the other docs I saw) but many of those who did see the film have become very active in supporting it and spreading the word. Ultimately, I think it's word-of-mouth that makes a film gain traction so that's hopeful. On the other hand, we lost our extra bookings in NY & LA because, almost bizarrely, we got too much press attention. I certainly can not tell cinema managers how to do their jobs; they know best. BUT I'd have thought having a great line from the LA Times or Village Voice would help sell tickets - I'm not convinced documentary film-goers are that concerned about seeing something the week it comes out. But, hey, I can't really be sure. Anyway, since my trip to the USA, I've been getting a stack of emails and facebook messages which take time to deal with. At 2.30pm I switched to project 2: Leonardo Live. It was 30 degrees and my shoulders are now a mess but for three hours I traipsed with HD camera and tripod the wonderful city of Milan from one Leonardo location to the next - gathering up some GVs (general views) that we need as background for our live show on the 8th November (Leonardo Live will go to cinemas and TV at 7pm UK time on the 8th November - a first-ever live event from the opening of an art exhibition and not any old exhibition but the biggest worldwide exhibition of this year).

I could have used an assistant today or someone to carry the tripod at least but the budget doesn't allow for it - broadcasters, when they insist we work for smaller and smaller budgets, should come on a shoot sometime. I bet none of them could carry a tripod - never mind camera, tripod and rucksack - for more than 2 minutes. Funnily enough, the last Leonardo shot was a great statue outside La Scala. And there I changed to project no 3: In Search of Haydn. Today's search took me to another super interview with Gianandrea Noseda who is rapidly shooting up my charts as one of my favourite people.. Not only did he give me an excellent interview but then I attended his rehearsal (with La Scala's orchestra) of Dvozak's Symphony no 8 in G major and a piece by Weber. Both were great: for 2 and a half hours I was utterly engrossed by both the music and Gianandrea's attention to detail, energy, control and, well, sheer artistry. I was privileged to be there. Things got even better when - and I will now be accused of name-dropping, I know - I then went to dinner with Gianandrea and one of the world's best pianists Leif Ove Andsnes. I tried my best to contribute but really I just wanted to ask questions and hear them talk! The food was fabulous too - thank you Milan! Thank you Italy! You may have Berlusconi but he will pass and the food, the architecture, the music and so much more will go on for ever. It's now 1am - my feet are killing me, my shoulders wrecked, my belly bigger, my brain scrambled, my nose sunburnt but it's been a good day - oh, one extra treat: Man City won away to Spurs 5-1. OK, early flight tomorrow. Must go. Ciao.