Hollywood-trained film maker celebrates Costa Blanca’s community spirit after Javea’s devastating fires in 2016

A GERMAN film maker is turning a negative into a positive in a film recalling the fires which devastated Javea in 2016.

Diane Gross told Euro Weekly News: “The recent fires in Australia for many people brought back memories of the terrible events in Javea a few years ago when the whole town seemed to be ablaze.

“My film is about the last big fire in this area. How fast it all happened, the fear, the disbelief and the danger it created.  But more importantly, it is also about how this huge catastrophe brought the international community together, no matter what nationality, colour or language. Facebook and the other social media were alive with offers of accommodation, support and help for those evacuated.”

Intriguingly, after the fires there was another story which caught Diane’s attention.

One man, Miguel García, for no financial gain created something from nothing – out of the ashes carving beautiful wooden sculptures from the burnt smoldering tree stumps, making new creations day after day.

Hollywood trained film producer Diane added: “Stories demonstrating how we all work together, come together in times of crisis and show the strength of our community are amazing.

“This story is special, a happy disaster story! A story of being thankful, of positive energy and of not giving up.”

She named her film after the “Phoenix” the Greek mythology of the phoenix-bird that rises out of the ashes.

As part of filming on Saturday, Miguel, created a unique Phoenix Sculpture for the film, in the Javea recreation park “Pinosol”. It will accompany all his other breath taking sculptures and remain there as a symbol of the story.

Diane has set up a Facebook group named “Javea Fire Stories”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JaveaFireStories for anybody who wants to share their stories.

But this special film project will only rise, if there is a visionary sponsor, who sees his chance in using the video as a unique opportunity for marketing.  If you are interested and want to find out more, visit: www.oneminute-pr.de/phoenix-film-project/

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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

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