Sea Change

SHARKWATER EXTINCTION 

Princess Eugenie of York

What? Princess Eugenie of York, along with Brian and Sandy Stewart (producers and parents of the late Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart), hosted the Hong Kong premiere of Sharkwater Extinction at Palace IFC. Prominent figures from the worlds of film, art, culture and society attended to lend their support to the makers of the documentary and their efforts to save the endangered species.

Royal imprimatur: Of her involvement with the film the princess – who is also an ambassador for global ocean charity Project 0 – said, “It’s such a wonderful cause and [the director] Rob is such a hero and inspiration, so any way we can share his message and the story of these sharks and what the world can do to be a part of it is amazing.”

Brian and Sandy Stewart

Ankie Beilke

Reyna Harilela and Olivia Buckingham

Sharon Kwok

Jessica C, Kamilla Holst and Ana R

 PASSION PROJECT

We at Prestige got hooked on to the Sharkwater Extinction project via Olivia Buckingham, a VIP guest at the Hong Kong premiere. We spoke to her after the showing.

How did you get involved with the project?
I first met Rob Stewart in Hong Kong when he came to premiere his first Sharkwater documentary, back in 2007. Until then, I was completely unaware of the effects of shark finning and the extent of damage it was causing. This particularly ignorant view of mine was set to change all due to one person — Rob.

You knew the young director; what was surprising about him?
Rob’s complete determination was astonishing. He explained in the first documentary that sharks have gone from predator to prey and he opened my eyes to the corruption surrounding the shark population in marine reserves. Despite these creatures surviving Earth’s history of mass extinctions, they can still easily be wiped out today due to sheer human greed.

What’s his enduring legacy and memory?
Rob sadly passed away during the filming, but I’ll never forget our first meeting, his drive, his charisma, his passion — it was infectious. And when I think of how he and his mission had changed and shaped people’s views globally, it was only natural to want to support and help when the premiere came to Hong Kong. I want to support his family and his legacy, even if I only manage to help 1 percent, it will totally be worth it.

Originally published in May 2019 issue of Prestige Hong Kong.