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Devon Farmers Bridge Divide in Film
18 Sep
Summary
- Two neighboring farmers, Derek Gow and Derek Banbury, with opposing views on land use.
- A documentary follows their three-year journey from animosity to understanding.
- The film explores the conflict between intensive farming and rewilding practices.
In Devon, England, two farmers named Derek, with starkly contrasting approaches to land management, found their differences highlighted in the documentary 'Derek vs Derek.' Derek Gow champions rewilding, actively reintroducing species like beavers and storks to his farm. His neighbor, Derek Banbury, represents traditional intensive farming, focused on dairy and beef production.
The film, initiated by documentarian James Dawson, initially aimed to focus solely on Gow's rewilding efforts. However, interactions with Banbury and his family at their holiday cottage business revealed a compelling narrative of conflicting ideologies.
Despite initial animosity and Banbury's skepticism towards rewilding, the three-year filming period fostered unexpected common ground. The documentary chronicles moments of tension, such as Gow's wild boar damaging Banbury's pastures, yet ultimately illustrates a shift towards mutual respect and understanding between the two Dereks.
Both farmers, sharing a passion for animals and a certain tenacity, discovered that coexistence was possible. The film's screening events, even those met with Banbury's initial resistance, showed audiences engaging with the realities of nature loss. The documentary's release on October 2, 2026, aims to spark further conversations between farmers and conservationists.
