The Golden Compass

and

The Heritage of the Inland Waterways

The Golden Compass

It is an interesting coincidence that Ben’s workplace and shop, the 70ft engineless butty boat Lyra (circa 1935), shares its name with the young heroine, Lyra, in The Golden Compass. 

It just so happened that the Marine Co-ordinator for the forthcoming film, due for release in November 2007, was walking the canal towpath at Saul last year, and noticed Ben’s Lyra moored alongside his narrowboat home, Knot Krazy. So the Co-ordinator knocked on Ben’s foc’sle, the two men got chatting, and Ben found himself being invited to supply all the fenders and fancy ropework to dress the Dutch barge that was to have a leading role as Ma Costa’s Barge in the film.

Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, (also known as James Bond), and talented newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra, The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in a parallel world in which twelve-year-old Lyra sets out to find and rescue her best friend, Roger. She ends up on an extraordinary quest - aboard Ma Costa’s barge, dressed by Ben Selfe - to save not only her own world, but ours as well.

Based on the first of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, Northern Lights was renamed The Golden Compass for the American market, and kept the same name for the film. If the film is a success, the other two books from the series could follow.

Filming began at Shepperton Studios, on the River Thames and in the Wash, off Kings Lynn, but when the film makers suddenly discovered the owner of the rented Dutch barge was not qualified to skipper it, they asked Ben in consternation if he knew of anyone who was. Ben produced the relevant certificate and was duly appointed, which is why he had to be in costume too.

To see Ma Costa’s Barge as dressed by Ben Selfe, and to find out more about The Golden Compass visit The Golden Compass and
BBC's Exclusive look at Dark Materials' Lyra.

For more information contact Ben on info@knotkrazy.co.uk or call 07767 880951

The Heritage of the Inland Waterways with former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes.
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Unless otherwise noted all content © Ben Selfe 2007. All Rights Reserved.