"The Right Juice"

The story is as apparently doomed as the idea of raising money in a crippling global recession: failed investment banker buys rundown farm in the Algarve, with a view to becoming an orange farmer. With the odds stacked against him, his marriage on the rocks, and a neighbouring landowner “stealing” everyone’s water, said banker digs for water… and finds oil!

It’s a comedy with twists, turns and dolphins, and it shows that even when the odds are all on the wrong side, things can come up trumps in the end.

It’s also an opportunity that Knigge has been dreaming of for a very long time.

“I grew up in the Algarve, but have been away for 20 years. Part of the reason that I want so much to do this film is that I want to get back here. Making a feature length movie is just the beginning. There is a growing filmmaking community in the Algarve these days and, let’s face it, it’s a filmmaker’s paradise. The Right Juice” is honestly just part of a bigger plan to create a local film industry”.

Knigge has something of a pedigree. His mother – and producer of the film – is BJ Boulter, a veteran of countless commercials shot in the Algarve and responsible for one of the longest-running adverts in the history of Dutch TV (coincidentally for orange juice!)

Growing up on film sets in the Algarve, Knigge soon appreciated the chameleon-like quality of Portugal’s landscapes.

“In one of BJ’s commercials, for Umbro, she shot “7 different countries” in just three days: all of them within an hour’s drive of Lisbon,” he explains. “The Alentejo can be made to look like Africa; Lisbon like Paris; interior villages can look like locations from Eastern Europe. An American Coca Cola advert BJ made portrayed 6 countries, including India and Scotland, all shot within 25 kms of where we are standing now, Portimão! It’s a marvellous country for maximum impact and minimum cost – which is just what this film is all about”. In the days when Knigge began in the film industry, anyone with aspirations had to go to Lisbon, or leave Portugal altogether. His own career path took him to Holland, where he’s been working ever since – making short films, commercials, corporate films, music videos and documentaries.

“But these days, it’s different,” he tells. “There are some excellent young filmmakers working in the Algarve, in Almancil and Faro – and there’s even been the case of companies in Lisbon hiring a company from the Algarve to make a corporate film. That would have been unheard of years ago! It’s because things have changed so much that I feel now’s the time to try and come back. This is my “home”. I can’t think of anything better than being able to come back and work here”.

But, as everyone is only too aware, now’s not exactly the best time or is it?

“Our timing sucks!” Knigge smiles. “It’s a horrible financial era for humanity; there is no money here; there are no tax incentives for filmmakers. It’s a battle - but we’re confident we can do it, if we get help from the local community”.

Here on a two-day promotional jaunt to publicise “The Right Juice”, Knigge and his co-producer Chris Parker, plan further visits later this month: in Faro (18th January) and Portimão (19th), to try and raise funding/ sponsorship and backers.

The crowd-funding concept is already underway - with people donating as much as they can – and the film already has a number of sponsors who have pledged goods and/ or services.

“We still need all sorts of things: a truck-full of oranges, drinks for the cast and crew, fuel for the vehicles, motorhomes for use on location…people should see our website for all the details,” adds Knigge.

“We’re not really expecting to have all the money we need by the time we start shooting… The budget isn’t even finalised yet! It’s more a question of adapting to resources available”.

But the general plan is to start shooting in early April, and to have the film ready for selling by the end of 2012.

“Our dream is the Sundance Festival in 2013,” co-producer Chris Parker tells us. Sundance is the largest independent cinema festival in the US, and recognition there would set “The Right Juice” up for worldwide distribution - while an award could set the seal on success.

But profit/ money isn’t really what this film is about. It’s about promoting the Algarve, and attracting a new kind of tourism.

“Film tourism can translate into big business”, Parker explains. “You only have to look at what “Mamma Mia” did for the Greek islands, or “Sex and the City” for New York. They run “Sex and the City” days in New York now. Well, we could run a “Right Juice” day here in the Algarve!”

Possibilities, in other words, are endless. It’s just a matter of hard work, careful planning, talent and good luck.

Knigge and his team have schedules worked out to maximise impact for minimum cost. For example, shooting will run over just 30 days (in Hollywood, films can run over 100 days), there are only seven main locations, just two night scenes – and almost all the stunts will be done live (to save the need for expensive computer effects).

“We can do it. We’ve got the expertise, we can make it happen - but we do need the support of the local community!” the team stress.

For more information and a look at the promotional “teaser”, access www.therightjuice.net and see how you might be able to help make a movie that promotes the Algarve!