PS Your Mystery Sender explores the fascinating story of Paul Smith, the world-renowned British fashion designer, who over the past 20 years has received an avalanche of odd and quirky unwrapped objects. Sent from a "mystery sender," these objects have had a remarkable effect on his life and art.

Learn about the secrets behind Smith's inspiration and success, and in the words of the film's director, Benjamin Wigley, " ...  let yourself believe there is still a little magic left in the world."

Benjamin Wigley

An independent filmmaker, shooting producer/director, animator and editor, Benjamin Wigley runs a production company called artdocs, which specializes in documentary films about artists' work, while also having an artistic approach to the filmmaking process. He produces content commercially for organizations that include the Tate, the Arts Council, the National Trust, and many NGOs.

As an independent filmmaker, Ben first produced In Search of the Vissarion, about a Siberian religious group who believe their leader is the Second Coming of Christ.. (http://www.insearchofthevissarion.co.uk/)

PS Your Mystery Sender is Ben’s directorial debut, produced  through his production company artdocs. It has shown at Sheffield Doc Fest, SXSW, Hotdocs and will be broadcast on the BBC in August.

Learn more at Ben's website: http://www.benjaminwigley.co.uk

Hotdocs May 2011
2011 Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF)
BBC In Aug/Sept
World Channel broadcast (Various)
The Paul Smith Exhibition of Objects has toured asia and Canada, so check out the Paul Smith website for info: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/paul-smith-world/

• Link to Trailer
  http://www.artdocs.org
• Film's Facebook profile
  http://www.facebook.com/PSYourMysterySender
• Twitter feed
  http://twitter.com/benjaminwigley

The Paul Smith Exhibition of Objects has toured Asia and Canada, so check out the Paul Smith website for the latest exhibition:http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/paul-smith-world/news/singapore-stamped-objects-exhibition,375,PNP.html

Interview with Benjamin Wigley, Director

t21: What inspired you to make PS Your Mystery Sender?
BW: I was inspired to make the film when the Scottish Documentary Institute came to give a talk about their documentary scheme, which had a theme of surprise, when I noticed that Paul had been receiving these objects when he posted a picture on his blog. I knew this was a great story and could see the opportunity to make a very visual film. So the next and biggest hurdle was to get him on board.

t21: Favorite/most unexpected response to the film?
BW: My favorite response from an audience is that people like the poetry and the creative visual sequences. This is essentially where I was trying to experiment and develop a style in a documentary that is fresh and somewhat unique to me as a filmmaker. So some might be adverse to my approach and therefore I like it when people compliment those parts of the film.

t21: What was the biggest obstacle making it?
BW: Managing to get Paul on board could be seen as being the biggest obstacle, although he accepted quite quickly. But I went to a lot of effort to make him want to be on board with the project. I built a cereal box design, which had a surprise inside - this was a DVD of a trailer I cut together with footage from films I liked and a handwritten letter on a photo of a rose. I also placed the flyer in the box so he understood the scheme, and some real cereal. Then I wrapped it up with string and stuck stamps all over the cereal box and posted it. He phoned me two days later and said yes.

t21: What do you want viewers to take away from the film?

BW: To let yourself believe that there is still a little magic left in the world.

t21: What was your favorite piece of mail he received?
BW: I suppose the red watering can is one of the most iconic, but the two odd water skis are great and how on earth did they send the massive red trailer from overseas without a parcel?

t21: How is this film different than your other projects?
BW: It has allowed me to make the kind of film, stylistically, that I want to continue to make throughout my career.

t21: Last book you read?
BW: Going into Darkness by Theirry Secretan. This is a photo book about African coffin art and the Ga people.

t21: Latest obsession?
BW: I just play guitar and have done for a long time, although I am trying to build a greenhouse in my allotment.

t21: Source of inspiration?
BW: Many influences, from Lars von Treir, Terry Gilliam, Wernor Herzog, Jan Svankmajer, fine art, photography, collage, printmaking, poetry … lots.

t21: Personal motto?
BW: Well, I haven’t really got one, but Paul’s “You can find inspiration in everything” is one that I really believe in. But I also like James Brown’s “All you need is good food, shoes and clothes,” or “I don’t know Karate but I know Karazy.”

t21: Your next or current project?
BW: A project about African coffin art, which I won’t go too much into, but watch this space.

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