Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lough Na Fooey in Connemara, Ireland, Woven is a short film that explores the timeless craft of basketmaking through the hands of Joe Hogan, a revered master basketmaker. With each weave, Joe connects deeply to the land and its rhythms, a reflection of the resilient and regenerative power of nature itself.
On the banks of the lake, surrounded by the raw beauty of Connemara’s untamed landscape, Joe’s work becomes a meditation on sustainability, tradition, and the enduring bond between maker and material. The film immerses the viewer in the quiet process of shaping willow – a plant that thrives in the face of adversity. Joe’s hands coax life from the flexible stems, the willow bends and weaves, telling a story of endurance, craft, and the wisdom passed down through generations.
Through its cinematic exploration of nature’s cycles, the film not only celebrates the skill of a humble craft but also emphasizes the regenerative power of the natural world. Like the willow itself, which springs back year after year, the film invites us to reflect on our own relationship with the environment and the lasting importance of our connection to the earth.
A love letter to the land, its people, and the quiet, powerful art of basketmaking.
Director & Cinematography - Tristan Hutchinson
Producer - Frances McNulty
Original Score - Thomas William Hill
Editing, Grade and Sound Design - Bellow
Bellow Creative Agency
studio@bellow.ie / 00 353 86 887 9654
studio@bellow.ie / 00 353 86 887 9654