The rich history of the ancient black mulberry tree in the Fellow’s Garden of Christ’s College, Cambridge, UK. Intertwining horticulture, poetry, and politics, it traces King James I’s failed silk industry, Milton’s radical legacy, and the tree’s role in college life today. We follow Milton’s journey from his formative years, through his association with Oliver Cromwell, to publishing his seminal work: Paradise Lost. The tree represents a powerful symbol of artistic expression, colonial enterprise, and enduring freedom of thought.All stories that remain relevant to our lives today.
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Director Biography – Tony Eva
Tony Eva is a Cambridge-based environmentalist, campaigner and filmmaker. Passionate about finding solutions, he recently helped reintroduce wetlands into his local nature reserve.
Director Statement
I was inspired to make this film after discovering the extraordinary life and times of John Milton and the ambitious attempt by King James I to establish a native silk industry in England. I wanted to explore Milton’s poetry through the lens of his radical beliefs and consider how those ideas might still resonate in our own turbulent era.
During filming, I came to see how this centuries‑old mulberry tree acts as a living touchstone which illuminates threads of history, politics, and culture, while reminding us that many concerns of 17th‑century England still echo today.
Making this documentary brought its own challenges: finding the right experts, navigating their schedules, and filming around a major refurbishment programme at Christ’s College. The project was only possible thanks to the generosity of our interviewees and the invaluable support and permissions granted by college staff.
I was also fortunate to work with a skilled and dedicated crew who volunteered their time and equipment. The film features an original score composed and produced by a talented Christ’s College student – an echo of Milton’s own creative environment.
| Tony Eva Director, Producer Nell Ramdenee Music Nigel Kinnings Director of Photography |
