An upcoming Netflix/BBC limited series about real-life tragedy has added some well-known stars to its cast.
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Patrick J. Adams, Merritt Wever, and Connor Swindells are the latest actors to join the cast of Lockerbie.
The six-part series will center around the December 1988 terrorist attack on Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit.
The flight was bombed 38 minutes after take-off, exploding over Lockerbie, Scotland, and killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members.
“It was the worst-ever terror attack on British soil and the first major one on U.S. citizens,” Netflix and the BBC explained in a press release.
The outlets went on to reveal that the series will center around the attack and the ensuing investigation, a collaborative effort between American and Scottish intelligence agencies.
“The six-part series is based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scottish-u.
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Patrick J. Adams, Merritt Wever, and Connor Swindells are the latest actors to join the cast of Lockerbie.
The six-part series will center around the December 1988 terrorist attack on Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit.
The flight was bombed 38 minutes after take-off, exploding over Lockerbie, Scotland, and killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members.
“It was the worst-ever terror attack on British soil and the first major one on U.S. citizens,” Netflix and the BBC explained in a press release.
The outlets went on to reveal that the series will center around the attack and the ensuing investigation, a collaborative effort between American and Scottish intelligence agencies.
“The six-part series is based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scottish-u.
- 3/5/2024
- by Tyler Johnson
- TVfanatic
Suits’ Patrick J. Adams and Unbelievable’s Merritt Wever are confirmed to star in BBC and Netflix’s Lockerbie series. Filming is now underway in Scotland on the six-episode series based on the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight.
Connor Swindells (Sas Rogue Heroes), Peter Mullan (Ozark), Tony Curran (Mary & George), Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road), Lauren Lyle (Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey), Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment), Khalid Laith (Cobra), and Amanda Drew (Wolf) were also just announced as starring in the drama.
“On 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was en route from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans. It was the worst-ever terror attack on British soil and the first major one on US citizens,” reads BBC and Netflix’s synopsis. “Lockerbie will focus...
Connor Swindells (Sas Rogue Heroes), Peter Mullan (Ozark), Tony Curran (Mary & George), Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road), Lauren Lyle (Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey), Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment), Khalid Laith (Cobra), and Amanda Drew (Wolf) were also just announced as starring in the drama.
“On 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was en route from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans. It was the worst-ever terror attack on British soil and the first major one on US citizens,” reads BBC and Netflix’s synopsis. “Lockerbie will focus...
- 3/5/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Patrick J. Adams has lined up his next TV gig.
The Suits star has boarded Lockerbie, a limited series for Netflix and the BBC about the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the titular Scottish town, our sister site Deadline reports.
More from TVLineColin Firth to Headline Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing Drama for Peacock<em>Suits: L.A.</em>: Everything We Know So FarTVLine Items: Fox Sets Summer Premieres, Peppa Pig Wedding Date and More
Rounding out the cast are Connor Swindells (Sex Education), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Peter Mullan (Ozark), Tony Curran (Your Honor), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey...
The Suits star has boarded Lockerbie, a limited series for Netflix and the BBC about the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the titular Scottish town, our sister site Deadline reports.
More from TVLineColin Firth to Headline Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing Drama for Peacock<em>Suits: L.A.</em>: Everything We Know So FarTVLine Items: Fox Sets Summer Premieres, Peppa Pig Wedding Date and More
Rounding out the cast are Connor Swindells (Sex Education), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Peter Mullan (Ozark), Tony Curran (Your Honor), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey...
- 3/5/2024
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Suits star Patrick J. Adams, Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Sas Rogue Heroes), Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Godless) and Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road, The Pact) are part of the the cast of the upcoming six-episode series Lockerbie, about the December 1988 terrorist attack on Pan Am Flight 103, for the BBC and Netflix.
Further castmembers unveiled Tuesday include Peter Mullan (Ozark, Payback), Tony Curran (Mary & George, Mayflies), Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie, Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War, Traces), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Guilt), Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master, P-Valley), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment, The Victim), Khalid Laith (Vigil, Cobra) and Amanda Drew (The Gold, Wolf).
The BBC and Netflix didn’t detail what roles each castmember will play, but said that filming on the show, described as a “factual drama” made by ITV Studios banner World Productions, has begun in Scotland.
“The six-part series is based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scottish-u.
Further castmembers unveiled Tuesday include Peter Mullan (Ozark, Payback), Tony Curran (Mary & George, Mayflies), Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie, Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War, Traces), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Guilt), Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master, P-Valley), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment, The Victim), Khalid Laith (Vigil, Cobra) and Amanda Drew (The Gold, Wolf).
The BBC and Netflix didn’t detail what roles each castmember will play, but said that filming on the show, described as a “factual drama” made by ITV Studios banner World Productions, has begun in Scotland.
“The six-part series is based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scottish-u.
- 3/5/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Patrick J. Adams, star of Suits — the most watched series on Netflix and all streaming in 2023 — is returning to the platform with a new show, Lockerbie. He will star opposite Connor Swindells of Netflix’s Sex Education who has been cast as the lead in the BBC and Netflix six-part limited series. Merritt Wever, two-time Emmy winner, for Netflix’s Godless and Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, also stars in the BBC/Netflix series based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scots-u.S. investigation which sought to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The cast also includes Ozark alum Peter Mullan, Tony Curran (Mary & George), Downton Abbey‘s Phyllis Logan, Eddie Marsan (The Pact), Lauren Lyle (Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War), Parker Sawyers ( P-Valley), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment), Khalid Laith (Vigil), and Amanda Drew (Wolf).
On 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was en route from...
The cast also includes Ozark alum Peter Mullan, Tony Curran (Mary & George), Downton Abbey‘s Phyllis Logan, Eddie Marsan (The Pact), Lauren Lyle (Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War), Parker Sawyers ( P-Valley), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment), Khalid Laith (Vigil), and Amanda Drew (Wolf).
On 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was en route from...
- 3/5/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Review: Lost Girls And Love Hotels (2020): A Salacious Affair Without Real Humans Means Nothing
Lost Girls And Love Hotels Review — Lost Girls and Love Hotels (2020) Film Review, a movie directed by William Olsson, and starring Alexandra Daddario, Takehiro Hira, Carice van Houten, Misuzu Kanno, Kate Easton, Andrew Rothney, and Yasunari Takeshima. You know, for a movie that’s supposed to be dramatic and titillating, Lost Girls [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Lost Girls And Love Hotels (2020): A Salacious Affair Without Real Humans Means Nothing...
Continue reading: Film Review: Lost Girls And Love Hotels (2020): A Salacious Affair Without Real Humans Means Nothing...
- 9/20/2020
- by Scott Mariner
- Film-Book
Watching a character make poor choices can be a trying experience, depending on the genre at hand. Seeing this in a comedy? Potentially hilarious. Observing similar acts in a drama? Quite possibly heartbreaking. The new drama Lost Girls & Love Hotels comes very close to going too far over the edge, but a tremendous central turn from Alexandra Daddario saves the day. Without her, it would have been a bleak and unduly trying experience. With her, it becomes a tough but compelling bit of cinema. By no means is it an easy one to watch, but armed with Daddario’s performance, there’s enough here to make it worthy of a slight recommendation. The movie is a character study, mixing some thriller elements into its drama. Margaret (Daddario) has found herself in Japan, living a duel life. By day, she’s an English teacher at a flight attendant academy, teaching a...
- 9/17/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Covid epidemic must be rough for sex addicts — something that lends at least a temporary tinge of nostalgia to “Lost Girls & Love Hotels,” whose promiscuous heroine seems unconcerned even about old-school Std risks. This adaptation of a 2010 semi-autobiographical novel by Canadian Catherine Hanrahan stars Alexandra Daddario as a North American expat in Japan, escaping murky demons via endless partying and anonymous sexual encounters.
Hitting notes variably redolent of “50 Shades” and “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” with the added element of cultural dislocation, William Olsson’s film works as an atmospheric mood piece and sometime erotic drama. It’s less successful as a character study. That creates a certain hollowness at the core of a movie that ultimately should expose the tortured psychology of a figure who instead not only remains elusive, but never fully earns our sympathy or interest. Astrakan Film is releasing the feature (which was reportedly shot on...
Hitting notes variably redolent of “50 Shades” and “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” with the added element of cultural dislocation, William Olsson’s film works as an atmospheric mood piece and sometime erotic drama. It’s less successful as a character study. That creates a certain hollowness at the core of a movie that ultimately should expose the tortured psychology of a figure who instead not only remains elusive, but never fully earns our sympathy or interest. Astrakan Film is releasing the feature (which was reportedly shot on...
- 9/17/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
We’ve got a new trailer for you to check out for the HBO limited series Catherine the Great, starring Helen Mirren… the great. She is pretty great, after all, so casting was right on. The trailer stars Mirren as the Russian monarch during her famed 18th century “Golden Era” reign.
Here’s the synopsis:
Helen Mirren will lead miniseries Catherine the Great as the tumultuous monarch and politician who ruled the Russian empire and transformed its place in the world in the 18th century. The four-part historical drama will follow the end of Catherine’s reign and her affair with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin that helped shape the future of Russian politics.
The series stars Jason Clarke as Catherine’s lover Grigory Potemkin, as well as Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Georgina Hale, Antonia Clarke, Phil Dunster, and many more.
Check out the trailer below, and watch...
Here’s the synopsis:
Helen Mirren will lead miniseries Catherine the Great as the tumultuous monarch and politician who ruled the Russian empire and transformed its place in the world in the 18th century. The four-part historical drama will follow the end of Catherine’s reign and her affair with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin that helped shape the future of Russian politics.
The series stars Jason Clarke as Catherine’s lover Grigory Potemkin, as well as Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Georgina Hale, Antonia Clarke, Phil Dunster, and many more.
Check out the trailer below, and watch...
- 9/9/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
We have the trailer for HBO’s upcoming miniseries Catherine The Great starring badass Helen Mirren in a role she was pretty much born to play. Mirren portrays the longest reigning Empress of Russia as she makes her mark expanding the Russian Empire, and becoming the most powerful female leader in history. The series follows the later years of her reign, as well as her famous love affair with Grigory Potemkin.
Mirren is joined by Jason Clarke (Pet Sematary) as Grigory Potemkin, as well as Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Antonia Clarke, Phil Dunster, Adam El Hagar, Georgina Hale, and James Northcote. The trailer looks solid, and I don’t know much about the history of Catherine the Great, so I will be checking this out for sure.
Check it out below and let us know if you’re into it! Catherine the Great airs this Fall on HBO.
Mirren is joined by Jason Clarke (Pet Sematary) as Grigory Potemkin, as well as Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Antonia Clarke, Phil Dunster, Adam El Hagar, Georgina Hale, and James Northcote. The trailer looks solid, and I don’t know much about the history of Catherine the Great, so I will be checking this out for sure.
Check it out below and let us know if you’re into it! Catherine the Great airs this Fall on HBO.
- 7/23/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
“Game of Thrones” might be over, but HBO doesn’t seem quite ready to give up its coverage of controversial female leaders who fancy themselves the kind of royals who can break the very chains the monarchy has made possible. In “Catherine the Great,” an upcoming limited series from director Philip Martin and writer Nigel Williams, the chain-breaking potential turns to an actual ruler: Catherine the Great, played by Helen Mirren.
The four-part historical drama follows the Russian monarch as she nears the end of her reign in the late 18th century, with an apparent focus on her romantic relationship with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke). The series also stars Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Antonia Clarke, and Phil Dunster.
And yet the trailer at least hints at the early stages of Catherine’s remarkable run, one shaped by an auspicious and audacious start — she overthrew her...
The four-part historical drama follows the Russian monarch as she nears the end of her reign in the late 18th century, with an apparent focus on her romantic relationship with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke). The series also stars Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Antonia Clarke, and Phil Dunster.
And yet the trailer at least hints at the early stages of Catherine’s remarkable run, one shaped by an auspicious and audacious start — she overthrew her...
- 7/22/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Saoirse Ronan stars as Mary Stuart in Mary Queen Of Scots, a Focus Features release. Photo credit: Liam Daniel / Focus Features
Of the two historical films opening this week, this is the one with grand, epic drama. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie play dueling queens in director Josie Rourke’s searing Mary Queen Of Scots, a grim, mud-and-blood retelling of the great power struggle between cousins Queen Elizabeth I of England and Queen Mary of Scotland. It is a tale of two strong women set against a backdrop of the disdainful male attitudes of the era towards women, even queens. As alliances shift, powerful, ambitious men hatch plots that favor their side but not always their queen. The film’s dramatic exploration of the differing fates of these two queens in this treacherous milieu makes for an intriguing, fresh look at the history.
The film is custom-made as a powerhouse...
Of the two historical films opening this week, this is the one with grand, epic drama. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie play dueling queens in director Josie Rourke’s searing Mary Queen Of Scots, a grim, mud-and-blood retelling of the great power struggle between cousins Queen Elizabeth I of England and Queen Mary of Scotland. It is a tale of two strong women set against a backdrop of the disdainful male attitudes of the era towards women, even queens. As alliances shift, powerful, ambitious men hatch plots that favor their side but not always their queen. The film’s dramatic exploration of the differing fates of these two queens in this treacherous milieu makes for an intriguing, fresh look at the history.
The film is custom-made as a powerhouse...
- 12/14/2018
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Mary Queen of Scots attempts to be a tale of two queens but suffers from its divided (and uninspired) loyalties.
Mary Queen of Scots, a regal and often impeccably designed film, suggests by its title that it is concerned with Mary Stuart, the ill-fated Scottish queen who wished to unite a British isle under one crown. Hers. Yet like so many other films that tangentially touch Elizabeth I and her ever golden-hued reign, it quickly becomes apparent this is a movie yearning to be about the Virgin Queen. Perhaps it should’ve been since the final product, presented here as a tale of two monarchs, often suffers from divided loyalties between the dueling thrones.
Structured around the difficulties and cruelties inflicted on women, even those who rule nations, and the contrasts in how they attend those obstacles, Mary Queen of Scots imagines itself to be something akin to the Heat of period melodrama,...
Mary Queen of Scots, a regal and often impeccably designed film, suggests by its title that it is concerned with Mary Stuart, the ill-fated Scottish queen who wished to unite a British isle under one crown. Hers. Yet like so many other films that tangentially touch Elizabeth I and her ever golden-hued reign, it quickly becomes apparent this is a movie yearning to be about the Virgin Queen. Perhaps it should’ve been since the final product, presented here as a tale of two monarchs, often suffers from divided loyalties between the dueling thrones.
Structured around the difficulties and cruelties inflicted on women, even those who rule nations, and the contrasts in how they attend those obstacles, Mary Queen of Scots imagines itself to be something akin to the Heat of period melodrama,...
- 11/27/2018
- Den of Geek
Richard Roxburgh in ‘Rake’ (Photo: ABC)
Richard Roxburgh is playing Grigory Orlov, a former lover of the 18th Century Russian Empress in the HBO/Sky UK miniseries Catherine the Great.
Helen Mirren is playing the title role in the four-part drama written by Nigel Williams which is now shooting in palaces and on sets in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.
With his brother Alexei (Kevin McNally) Roxburgh’s character helped orchestrate the coup that brought Catherine to power. Gina McKee is Countess Bruce, her lifelong friend and confidant, with Joseph Quinn as Prince Paul, Catherine’s son and heir.
Rory Kinnear is Minister Panin, a skillful politician, adviser and governor to Prince Paul, and Sam Palladio as Alexander Vasilichikov, Catherine’s young lover.
Jason Clarke is Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military commander who became Catherine’s lover and favoured statesman. Despite scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they had a devoted relationship...
Richard Roxburgh is playing Grigory Orlov, a former lover of the 18th Century Russian Empress in the HBO/Sky UK miniseries Catherine the Great.
Helen Mirren is playing the title role in the four-part drama written by Nigel Williams which is now shooting in palaces and on sets in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.
With his brother Alexei (Kevin McNally) Roxburgh’s character helped orchestrate the coup that brought Catherine to power. Gina McKee is Countess Bruce, her lifelong friend and confidant, with Joseph Quinn as Prince Paul, Catherine’s son and heir.
Rory Kinnear is Minister Panin, a skillful politician, adviser and governor to Prince Paul, and Sam Palladio as Alexander Vasilichikov, Catherine’s young lover.
Jason Clarke is Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military commander who became Catherine’s lover and favoured statesman. Despite scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they had a devoted relationship...
- 10/4/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
HBO/Sky have released a first-look photo of Helen Mirren as the titular character in four-part HBO/Sky miniseries Catherine the Great (see below). The image shows Mirren as Empress Catherine in her private quarters.
Gina McKee (Notting Hill), Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful), Richard Roxburgh (Rake), Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) and Sam Palladio (Nashville) also have joined previously announced stars Mirren, Jason Clarke and Joseph Quinn in the miniseries produced by Origin Pictures and New Pictures.
Currently shooting in palaces and sets across Russia, Latvia and Lithuania, the four-part miniseries, written by Nigel Williams, will chart the latter years of Catherine’s 34-year reign, as she builds Russia’s reputation as one of the great powers of Europe.
McKee will play Countess Bruce, Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidant. Kinnear is Minister Panin, a skillful politician, advisor and governor to Catherine’s son.
Gina McKee (Notting Hill), Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful), Richard Roxburgh (Rake), Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) and Sam Palladio (Nashville) also have joined previously announced stars Mirren, Jason Clarke and Joseph Quinn in the miniseries produced by Origin Pictures and New Pictures.
Currently shooting in palaces and sets across Russia, Latvia and Lithuania, the four-part miniseries, written by Nigel Williams, will chart the latter years of Catherine’s 34-year reign, as she builds Russia’s reputation as one of the great powers of Europe.
McKee will play Countess Bruce, Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidant. Kinnear is Minister Panin, a skillful politician, advisor and governor to Catherine’s son.
- 10/3/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Joseph Baxter Sep 6, 2019
HBO miniseries Catherine the Great will star Helen Mirren as the Enlightenment-era Russian monarch.
Catherine the Great is headed to HBO in the U.S. and Sky in the U.K. as a four-part television miniseries starring Helen Mirren (who will also direct and executive produce). She plays the eponymous Russian empress, whose late-18th-century reign is widely considered the Golden Age of the old Russian monarchy and a time of rapid rise for the country. Indeed, the miniseries focuses on Catherine's political machinations, chronicling her rise to power and subsequent rule.
Mirren will be joined by co-star Jason Clarke, who plays Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military leader who came into Catherine’s favor as a friend and trusted advisor, going back to his support for her during the 1762 coup, which removed her husband, Emperor Peter III, from the throne, leading to her ascension. The series serves as a quick reunion,...
HBO miniseries Catherine the Great will star Helen Mirren as the Enlightenment-era Russian monarch.
Catherine the Great is headed to HBO in the U.S. and Sky in the U.K. as a four-part television miniseries starring Helen Mirren (who will also direct and executive produce). She plays the eponymous Russian empress, whose late-18th-century reign is widely considered the Golden Age of the old Russian monarchy and a time of rapid rise for the country. Indeed, the miniseries focuses on Catherine's political machinations, chronicling her rise to power and subsequent rule.
Mirren will be joined by co-star Jason Clarke, who plays Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military leader who came into Catherine’s favor as a friend and trusted advisor, going back to his support for her during the 1762 coup, which removed her husband, Emperor Peter III, from the throne, leading to her ascension. The series serves as a quick reunion,...
- 7/19/2018
- Den of Geek
Game Of Throne actress Carice Van Houten has come aboard the indie thriller I Am Not A Bird, along with Andrew Rothney (The Huntsman: Winter's War), Kate Easton (upcoming Ocean's Eight ), Takehiro Hira and newcomer Elisabeth Larena. The bevy joins star Alexandra Daddario in the film, which has Swedish director William Olsson at the helm as production is underway in Tokyo, Japan. Based on the novel Lost Girls And Love Hotels by Catherine Hanrahan, who also adapted the…...
- 11/2/2017
- Deadline
Blackbird
Written by Jamie Chambers, John Craine and Robyn Pete
Directed by Jamie Chambers
UK, 2013
Blackbird is set in a Scottish island town where the traditional culture, based around folk singing, is gradually dying out and young people are flocking to the cities in search of better opportunities. The community has been fractured by weakening local industries and a loss of identity, leading to social discord and conflicting views about how the town should move forward. Director Jamie Chambers delicately draws out these issues, showing a sad reluctance on the part of the older community to pass down their traditions, acutely aware that they have little economic value in the modern world.
The film’s protagonist is Ruadhan (Andrew Rothney), a wide-eyed, vulnerable young man, with a passion for the songs he picks up from the town’s legendary but ageing performers. He lives in a small, wooden fishing boat,...
Written by Jamie Chambers, John Craine and Robyn Pete
Directed by Jamie Chambers
UK, 2013
Blackbird is set in a Scottish island town where the traditional culture, based around folk singing, is gradually dying out and young people are flocking to the cities in search of better opportunities. The community has been fractured by weakening local industries and a loss of identity, leading to social discord and conflicting views about how the town should move forward. Director Jamie Chambers delicately draws out these issues, showing a sad reluctance on the part of the older community to pass down their traditions, acutely aware that they have little economic value in the modern world.
The film’s protagonist is Ruadhan (Andrew Rothney), a wide-eyed, vulnerable young man, with a passion for the songs he picks up from the town’s legendary but ageing performers. He lives in a small, wooden fishing boat,...
- 6/28/2013
- by Rob Dickie
- SoundOnSight
Director Jamie Chambers wants his film, screening at this year's Edinburgh film festival, to be more than an elegy for the nation's oral tradition of singing and storytelling
Home advantages don't come much stronger than the one the new Scottish film Blackbird will have when it screens this week at the Edinburgh film festival. It isn't just that the picture's writer-director, Jamie Chambers, was born and raised in the city, or that he is artistic director of Transgressive North, a community of Scottish artists that has collaborated with the likes of Irvine Welsh, Jarvis Cocker, Alexander McCall Smith and Four Tet. Nor is it merely that this movie, inspired partly by Powell and Pressburger's Hebridean romance I Know Where I'm Going!, will be vying for the prestigious Michael Powell award. The very subject of Blackbird is Scotland – specifically, the oral tradition of singing and storytelling. Despite initiatives to keep that tradition alive,...
Home advantages don't come much stronger than the one the new Scottish film Blackbird will have when it screens this week at the Edinburgh film festival. It isn't just that the picture's writer-director, Jamie Chambers, was born and raised in the city, or that he is artistic director of Transgressive North, a community of Scottish artists that has collaborated with the likes of Irvine Welsh, Jarvis Cocker, Alexander McCall Smith and Four Tet. Nor is it merely that this movie, inspired partly by Powell and Pressburger's Hebridean romance I Know Where I'm Going!, will be vying for the prestigious Michael Powell award. The very subject of Blackbird is Scotland – specifically, the oral tradition of singing and storytelling. Despite initiatives to keep that tradition alive,...
- 6/27/2013
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
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