Why Maple & Birch?

In the backyard of Danielle’s childhood home stood two towering trees, a maple and a birch, each with their own fable in her mind.

The maple to the west was in its prime, the broad canopy provided ample shade, perfect to escape the scorching summer suns. While the trees’ branches stretched high into the sky, one protruded perfectly horizontal from the trunk, outstretched as if ready to provide a comforting hug. Danielle often welcomed its embrace, and this perfect hideout became a creative hub for a child with no shortage of imagination.

To the east, a formidable array of paper birches, split off into a collective of three. The smooth, silvery trunks seemingly possessed an ancient wisdom, a majestic quality magnified by parental warnings to leave them be, squashing the temptation to tear at the bark. Long and slender caterpillar-like catkins would litter the lawn and walkway, sprouting curiosity and wonder. Peeling bark housed several species of insects, providing a living example of a terrestrial ecosystem, which Danielle marvelled at in the spring and summer months.

While the maple tree supplied a safe space for creativity to flourish, the birch allowed curiosity to thrive. These two qualities are still very much a part of Danielle’s life today, and are at the forefront of how she approaches filmmaking.