From Peru, to Yorkshire, and Sydney

Making the Cut is a poignant story that draws a remarkable link between ancient Incan practice and the finest English handmade traditions through a fourth-generation bespoke tailor, John Cutler, and his client, Robert Miller.

In a world of throwaway fast-fashion, Cutler is the last of a kind. And Miller is making the best of a health challenge by pursuing study, art and history. Two unlikely partners raging against the dying of the light.

We look at the need for sustainable, hand-made artistry in a world which is rapidly spinning out of touch with the craftsmanship, humanity, and personal connection that is inherent in hand-made items. The story takes us from Sydney, to Yorkshire, London, Peru, and New Zealand.

We have gathered the insights of industry experts, academics, and those at the “coal face”.

• Peter Ackroyd MBE – Peter is the Chief Operations Officer of the Campaign for Wool, whose Patron is HRH Prince of Wales. He specialises in world markets for woollen and worsted yarns and fabrics, and has particular expertise in marketing in Europe, the Middle East, Japan, Korea and China.

• Andrew Seal – CEO – The SIL Group, family-owned world-class vertically integrated group of specialist textile businesses. 

• Prof. Trevor Marchand – An Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology, independent researcher and consultant, and Action Learning facilitator. His subject expertise is in space, place and architecture; craft knowledge, skill learning and apprenticeship; and embodied cognition communication.

• Andrew Ramroop – Principal and founder of the Savile Row Academy (SRA), Creative Director of Maurice Sedwell Ltd. 

• Dale McCarthy – Founder of B-Corp certified women’s luxury summer style label, Bondi Born.

• Adrian Dickenson – Director and head weaver, Paragon Textiles, Huddersfield.

• Phil Brannan – Production Manager, The SIL Group.

• Alan Dolley – Director of Operations at W T Johnson and Sons (Huddersfield). 

• Aline Galimberti – Style Director, Dormeuil.

Fork Films

Since 1992, Fork Films has produced unique international award-winning documentaries that rattle the status quo, bend the orthodoxy and break stereotypes. From the seminal She’ll be right, Boss! to the polemical Decadence – Decline of the Western World, FF reaches across the socio-philosophical to business, cultural magazine, wildlife, science and history. Fork Films is now adding fiction to factual – co-developing two drama ideas for the streaming market, in the UK with support from the BFI, and in Australia with Screen Queensland.  

To finish what we started 

We have completed filming, and are now poised at the edge of post-production. So very close to making it a reality, but as a boutique independent production company, we need a leg-up to reach completion.

Based on standard industry rates, and leaving no thread untied, we need $125, 000 AUD (£73, 800, €85, 000) to bring Making the Cut to the screen. This will cover every expense, from buying archive footage, through editing, sound mixing and on-lining, to final delivery and marketing and legal expenses.

Finishing an independent documentary is a complex task, and requires an array of creative and technical processes to ensure it is ready for the global market. We are asking all of you who are interested, or have a stake in one of the many facets we cover in our film, to help us cover our budget to bring the film to screens around the world. We can’t do it without your help!

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can’t help financially, we’d be grateful if you could bring our fund-raising page to the attention of somebody who can. Many hands make light work, and we believe our film can increase awareness and interest in renewable natural fabrics and handcrafted garments.