“Jeremy and the Sketch team were a pleasure to work with and I’m delighted with the film they produced and directed. They took on a small project without much direction and spent time researching the possibilities, opened doors to gain access to people we wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise and built a strong narrative. Very impressed! ”
Bill Willis doc project
This is a film about the American architect Bill Willis' life and work. It was made over a period of two years as we tracked down Bill's friend in Marrakech, London, Paris and New York. The film was made with the support of Bill's close friend, the late Pierre Berge and the director of the YSL Pierre Berge Foundation, Madison Cox. The film was produced by NEON Adventures.
Credits
Produced & Directed by: Jeremy Riggall
Executive Producer: Neil Hutchinson & Jessica Stroup
Camera by: Jeremy Riggall and Jason Brooks
Additional camera by: Jon Hurley
Edited by: Jeremy Riggall and Jason Brooks
Special Thanks to:
Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, Le Jardin Majorelle, Rick’s Cafe, Madison Cox
Quito Fiero, Christopher Gibbs, Nicolette Meeres, the Agnelli Family, Ally Van Westernholtz, Yan Setlee, Jason Brooks
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SIDI BEL ABBES
Bill's former house in the Medina of Marrakech is a hidden palace overlooking a Muslim cemetery in one of the most religious districts. The house is littered with Bill's signature fireplace designs, opulent bathrooms and a high balcony overlooking the medina all the way to the Koutoubia.
Marrakech
Bill arrived in Marrakech in 1967 and never really left. One of the first to settle permanently in Marrakech he soon made life long friends with Pierre Berge, Yves Saint Laurent and brought over his friends Paul and Talitha Getty on their honeymoon. Whenever people arrived, they called on Bill or 'Dracula' as he was known to many in his neighbourhood, as he almost never left his house in daylight hours.
A book about Bill Willis was published by the Berge YSL Foundation. It is available to buy at the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech.