Tag: film

Do Not Bend: Film tribute to maverick photographer

Napier University will host first Scottish screening 

The Scottish Premiere of a film documenting the life and work of an unsung hero of British photography is to be held at Edinburgh Napier University.

The screening of Do Not Bend: The Photographic Life of Bill Jay at the Craiglockhart campus on September 26 will be followed by a question and answer session with co-producer and director Grant Scott.

Jay, who died in 2009, aged 68, was a photographer, lecturer, writer, and editor/founder of the influential Creative Camera magazine. In 1970 he established the Do Not Bend Gallery, London, the first gallery dedicated to photography in the UK, and in 1971 Jay became the first Director of Photography at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.

He was the author of more than 20 books on photography, two books of his own photography, and hundreds of essays, lectures and articles.

Grant Scott became intrigued by Jay’s story, having been compared with Jay in his opinions and writing, and immediately embarked on a series of interviews with friends, colleagues, ex-students and Jay’s family.

Archive footage, audio recordings and photographs were secured from numerous sources in the US and UK, so that Scott could use the maverick Jay’s own voice to narrate the story of his life.

Early audiences have hailed the film as “inspirational”, “absorbing”, “a revelation” and “poignant, funny and genuinely illuminating”, with photographer Martin Parr commenting: “I think the one real achievement of the film is to put on record the life and work of Bill Jay whose contribution has been known but never recognised.”

The Edinburgh screening will be preceded by a drinks reception, and director Scott will be joined on the discussion panel afterwards by Malcolm Dickson, Director of Street Level Photoworks; Ben Harman, Director of Stills Gallery; Edinburgh Napier honorary fellow Robin Gillanders, and Annie Lyden of The National Galleries of Scotland.

Grant Scott, a photographer, writer and lecturer in his own right, who produced the film in partnership with Tim Pellatt, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to the film and how people have connected with Bill’s story, finding it to be inspirational and entertaining. We made the film without funding with a total budget of £500, so to get such a reception has been incredible.”

Do Not Bend: The Photographic Life of Bill Jay will be shown at the Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre at the Craiglockhart Campus at 219 Colinton Road on Wednesday 26 September. The drinks reception is at 5.45pm, with the film being screened at 7pm and the Question and Answer session following at 8.45pm.

Tickets are £5 per person.

Tickets can be purchased at https://store.napier.ac.uk/product-catalogue/creative-industries/events/do-not-bend-the-photographic-life-of-bill-jay-26th-september-2018

Screen Education Edinburgh take Underpass to Southbank!

West Pilton-based Screen Education Edinburgh are flying the flag for the capital at film education charity Into Film’s  awards tomorrow at Central London’s famous BFI Southbank. Continue reading Screen Education Edinburgh take Underpass to Southbank!

What’s your view on Scotland’s TV and Film Industry?

The Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee are conducting an inquiry into Scotland’s TV and film industry. The Committee wants to look at ways to strengthen and develop the sector using recommendations from the Screen Sector Leadership Group’s report (below).

The Screen Sector Leadership Group (SSLG) was established on the recommendation of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee in a report it published on the economic impact of the film, TV and video games industries in 2015. The Screen Sector Leadership Group brought together senior representatives of the Scottish Screen industry to recommend actions to strengthen and develop the sector.

The SSLG agreed a series of recommendations under the following priorities for the sector:

  • Increased funding for film and television production
  • Increased studio facilities and infrastructure for Scotland
  • Increased investment in talent development, skills and training
  • Increased and appropriate business development support for screen businesses
  • Robust research and statistics on the value of the sector and the impact of funding and support mechanisms.

Joan McAlpine MSP, convener of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee said: “Scotland’s screen sector has enjoyed a number of notable successes in recent years and we want to ensure the industry reaches its full potential.

“The Screen Sector Leadership Group has made some really helpful recommendations in their report to the Committee that suggests ways to develop a successful and sustainable industry which nurtures domestic talent and has a wider benefit for the Scottish economy.

“The inquiry will focus on how these recommendations can be implemented and will feed into the wider work of the Scottish Government and supporting bodies like Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise”.

The Committee’s deputy convener, Lewis Macdonald MSP, said: “Scotland has immense potential to have a world leading screen industry. My hope is that we can build on recent success like Outlander and Hollywood productions like the Avengers to create a more vibrant and sustainable industry which encourages local talent and expertise.”

SSLG_Final_Report_January2017

You can find out more about the call for views and submit written evidence by visiting the Committee’s website.

‘Life-affirming and innovative’ film comes to Edinburgh

A ‘life-affirming and innovative’ film comes to Edinburgh

“Breathtakingly beautiful” – The Guardian   –   “Viewing should be compulsory” – The Mail

104 Sara Daqdaq

Summer in the Forest is the surprise success story of the summer’s documentary releases and this week makes its debut at Edinburgh’s Cameo Picturehouse. 

This is a contemplative indie film that stands apart in our frenetic times.  Its stars, who have intellectual disabilities, know something we don’t.  Something that will change our lives.

Summer in the Forest focuses on the lives of Philippe, Michel, Andre and Patrick – once labelled idiots and locked away in violent asylums – and the philosopher Jean Vanier, whose life and work has transformed their lives, and his.  Together they created L’Arche, a commune at the edge of a beautiful forest near Paris, and a quiet revolution was born.

Director Randall Wright says: “In a confusing power crazed world here is a place that makes surprising sense.  To paraphrase Jean Vanier, it may not be a utopia but it certainly offers hope to us all.”

Now in 30 cinemas, most of which are extending their runs, Summer in the Forest has attracted universal praise and tens of thousands of supporters, running for four straight weeks at a major West End cinema.

Reviewers have commended its “unparalleled calibre”, “poetic appreciation of humanity”, and its “joyously uplifting” tone, with a “the power to change lives”.
Producer Richard Wilson adds: “This is a life-affirming film that offers an alternative to our confrontational on-line world and the relentless pursuit of power and wealth. We hope the film gives people a connection with our common humanity.”

Randall’s follow-up to his critically acclaimed and award-winning film Hockney showcases compelling story-telling at its best. It offers us a beautifully-paced and magical glimpse of a reality where there is friendship, hope and wisdom to be found; if we just take the time to slow down and listen.

Summer in the Forest screens at the Picturehouse on Thurs 13th July 2.10pm & 6.00pm, Fri 14th July 4.10pm, Sat 15th July 4.10pm, Sun 16th July 4.10pm, Mon 17th July 4.10pm, Weds 19th July 4.10pm, and Thurs 20th July 4.10pm.

See https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Cameo_Picturehouse/film/summer-in-the-forest for further details. Box office 0871 902 5723.

Lights, camera … Granton!

Granton Primary School film premieres in Paris

Granton Primary School teacher Avril Whelan runs an after school Film Club with P6’s and P7’s. The children have made four films – one of which premiered in Paris last month! In the week before the holidays the children staged a French themed event to present their fabulous films to their parents.  Continue reading Lights, camera … Granton!