Reunion by Skye Bennett

Last time we met, we initially weren’t going to get a picture together, but as I started walking back to the tube he ran up behind me and said “wait! Let’s get a photo!” I’m so grateful for this photo now.

We first met in Bulgaria in 2008. We were filming a movie called It’s Alive. It was a remake of an older movie – all about a demon baby terrorising a family. It’s been a while since I watched it – but I don’t think it was ever destined to win any awards! I remember meeting him in the foyer of our hotel. I initially thought he was in a perpetually bad mood because his resting expression – at that quite young age – was like an old man who’d seen too much. However, we quickly learned that he was anything but. He was cheeky and silly but also very generous. Extremely clever too. He empathised when I caught gastroenteritis on set, but he also kept me laughing through it. It meant a lot, and it made the whole experience way less awful than it could’ve been.

Years later, we met again at The Curzon theatre in Soho. It was a wonderful visit and probably my favourite memory of him. We talked all about what we’d been up to and what we wanted to do in the future. I remember marvelling at how alike we’d become, even after spending so much time apart. I could see us becoming a lot closer as adults. I wish we had the opportunity.

If he’d lived longer, he’s definitely have become an even bigger voice for the environment. I don’t think he’d ever stop campaigning for what’s right, even as an old man! I personally think politics needs radical young people, so it would’ve been cool if he went down that route. Though, despite our governments needing someone like him, I think the world of politics would have driven him insane. His creativity, heart and intelligence would’ve more likely carried him into a very successful career in filmmaking. Documentary or otherwise.