Projects in genres: Scottish

Synopsis

Life in the Scottish Hebrides is harsh - the edge of the world some call it. For the beautiful Kirsty, her love for Murdo and their shared dreams of America promise escape from the scrape of the land and a stifled destiny. But the Great War changes all when Murdo is conscripted. The night before the young men go off to battle, tragedy is set in motion as villagers swirl and sup at a “road dance.” Based on the acclaimed novel by John MacKay, THE ROAD DANCE is adapted for the screen and directed by Richie Adams.

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On a Saturday night in Glasgow, a bassist pursues a teenage boy through the streets for a stolen guitar, but ends up finding what she really needs - a sincere human connection.

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A hunter is summoned to slay a terrifying beast, and on the shore of a loch between two barren mountains, the hunter becomes cursed. A contemporary reworking of a traditional Scottish folktale, narrated by legendary folklorist Margaret Bennett. Official Selection Edinburgh International Film Festival 2022

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A personal, visual essay about gender transition - focusing on the social context and exploring how the world is different living as female compared to being perceived as male. Jack tells his story by using and reframing gender focused tropes and imagery from popular culture, mythology, history and art.

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Deep in the Scottish Highlands, thieves steal a painting the size of a double bed. They crash during their getaway, and must carry their prize into the mountains to hide. But how did it all come to this? CROOKED FRAMES puts each crook in the frame and tells their story: Nick is quick-witted and iron-willed. The painting will be his no matter what. Davey is just the getaway driver. Nothing bad ever happens to the driver... Right? Lewis only wants to help a mate. He really doesn't know what he's signed up for. Barry just really digs the art you know. Cat wants to escape her own dark secrets. Trevor is spontaneous and fun loving. Even when committing acts of violence. 'Head office'. Well, that's how she's listed in Trevor's phone. Has anyone ever actually met the boss? The strands of their stories entwine and entangle before finally tying together when they find shelter in a mountain bothy: a remote highland hovel. In the middle of nowhere everything unravels as the truth finally emerges. Each of them must face up to what they have done, and in a fight for survival, must decide what they are prepared to do next.

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The first feature documentary entirely in Scottish Gaelic, IORRAM (BOAT SONG) is an immersive and poetic portrait of life in the Outer Hebrides, as the islands and the language face an uncertain future. Archive sound recordings of ghostly voices, stories and songs from the last century are mixed with stunning footage of daily life in the islands today, on land and sea, to create a lyrical and playful dialogue between past and present, and between sound and vision, set to an original score composed and performed by award-winning folk musician Aidan O’Rourke. IORRAM began as an experiment to make a cinematic film entirely composed from archive sound and contemporary moving images. The sound archive at the heart of this project contains over 30,000 pieces of previously untranslated and largely unheard Scottish Gaelic recordings, representing a treasure trove of cultural history and memories which deserve to be heard. Making documentaries from archive film footage is a long established practice, but there are also vast riches in sound archives around the world, which are gradually being digitized and restored, and represent a valuable resource for filmmakers interested to explore the relationship between past and present, and between the ears and the eyes. If cinema has historically prioritized vision over sound, IORRAM marks an ambitious effort to redress the balance, and provide audiences with a new and deeply satisfying kind of cinematic experience.

Synopsis

Having participated in competition surfing since he turned 11, a 14-year-old Scottish champion Ben Larg, is not afraid of a challenge, and what bigger challenge for a young surfer than one of the biggest and most dangerous cold water waves in the world at Mullaghmore, Ireland. If he gets it right, he joins an elite group. If he gets it wrong, the consequences are terrifying. Danger, opportunity, and parental dilemma collide propelling Ben and his family towards an unknown destiny. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2021 - Love

Synopsis

The film explores the story of Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige) who after a double mastectomy, goes to a healing retreat in rural Scotland with her young nurse Desi (Kota Eberhardt). She discovers that the process of such surgery opens up questions about her very existence, leading her to start to question and confront past traumas. The two develop an unlikely bond as mysterious forces give Veronica the power to enact revenge within her dreams. Official Selection Locarno Film Festival 2021 - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2021 - Cult

Synopsis

Through a series of vignettes, we see fragments of a couple’s relationship; in sync together, yet out of time with the world around them. As the story unfolds, we slowly start to see their relationship deteriorate. She becomes out of sync with him and thus in sync with the world.

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BOUND follows two people navigating the ultimate walk of shame. In Leith, Edinburgh, Kelsey gets Martin drunk. They wake up handcuffed together and very hungover. This short film follows them over the course of one morning, trying to separate themselves and return to their normal lives.

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More than one in three Turkish women have experienced domestic violence and the number of femicides is rising. But some Turkish women are fighting back. Ipek Bozkurt, a courageous lawyer, is determined to challenge this misogynistic violence by putting abusive men behind bars. Working with a group of activists, Ipek is fighting to get justice for two survivors of horrific violence- Arzu, married off at 14 to a farmer ten years her senior and Kubra, a successful and glamorous TV presenter. From very different backgrounds, both were lucky to survive the attacks by their partners. In the middle of these case, Turkey is rocked by an attempted coup that shakes Ipek’s world and puts her in jeopardy. Lawyers start to be threatened by an increasingly repressive government looking to crack down on all opposition. She must fight for democracy while continuing to fight for Kubra and Arzu. Filmed over 5 years, DYING TO DIVORCE takes viewers into the heart of Turkey's gender-based violence crisis and the recent political events that have severely eroded democratic freedoms. Through intimately shot personal stories, the film gives a unique perspective on the struggle to be an independent woman in modern Turkey. Official Selection Hot Docs Festival 2021 - Persister - North American premiere

Synopsis

In the isolation of lockdown, a young man stays in contact with the outside world through voice messages, sent by friends and lovers. Those messages seem to fill his void, till he finds himself inhabited by a multitude of lonely beings. His only way out, is finding his own voice.