The Ponds Film is Released
17th January, 2019
After two years’ work including a 12-month filming period, The Ponds – a documentary film about the year-round swimmers and the Hampstead Heath ponds – is on limited release in London cinemas.
Co-producers Patrick McLennan and Samuel Smith want to show the film nationally and are seeking interest from swimmers and swimming groups. If you’d like to see it in your area, drop them a line (details below).
Patrick and Sam endeavoured to capture life at the unique swimming ponds in London over all four seasons, getting to know the regular swimmers and trying to capture the essence of the urban swimming spots.
“The cold water unites swimmers in a way you don’t often see in ordinary life,” said Patrick. “There’s a shared bond over the pleasure and benefits of swimming in the ponds that brings the regulars together.
“Not for nothing have we subtitled the film the ‘healing waters’ of Hampstead Heath.”
The Ponds tracks a group of different personalities at the Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed Ponds, giving a revealing perspective of their lives plus an insight into what the ponds are all about which you’d only otherwise get if you swam there through the year.
The Heath is captured in all its beauty, from the first shoots of spring when the water temperature hovers around 10ºC, through the heat and crowds of summer to the bleak onset of autumn and the shivering descent into winter.
“High points of the film include the excitement of the iconic Christmas Day Races and the winter swimmers breaking the ice,” said Patrick. “The snow scenes in particular have some breath-taking moments.”
The Ponds (Still Waters Run Deep) is showing at cinemas in London, please see the website for details. The producers would love to hear from you if you’d like a screening to be held in your area. Contact Patrick at info@thepondsfilm.com.
THE PONDS (Still Waters Run Deep) – Official Trailer from Laser Guided Productions on Vimeo.