Oxygen
The Old Man and his Bed
(94 Elements project)

"I chose Oxygen as it seemed to offer the best opportunity to make a film with a simple human story. Myself and Guy King, the researcher, were invited onto a ward dealing with severe respiratory conditions in a London hospital and the first person we were introduced to was Bob. The hospital staff clearly liked him and I immediately understood why. Despite his desperate medical condition, he was extremely optimistic, remarkably kind and not without a sense of humor. After a little consideration, I decided to shoot the film with Bob over one long night. I decided just to be there and experience something of his situation without any tricks, complicated structural considerations or big narrative ideas. Sometimes films come together quite simply without too much agonizing."