I'm reprinting a notice about a selection of excellent films made by or produced by Scottish women at the Dundee Contempoary Arts Centre on the 20th of September.
If you've not seen these films its well worth making the effort. I had to see the Ruby Grierson short by visiting the Imperial War Museum Film Archive in London so its a great treat to have it screened in public
Scottish Women in Film at Dundee Contemporary Arts. 6.30 Thursday 20 SeptemberAn evening to celebrate remarkable women in film and their achievements. Thef ilms will be accompanied by short talks, and guest speakers include JanetMcBain, head of the Scottish Screen archive, Margaret Bennett, formerly of theSchools of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh University, and Rose Pipes, co-ordinatingeditor of The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. The work of some of the women film makers featured in the Dictionary are beingscreened as part of this women's double-bill event. There will be a break for refreshments before the screening of The Seventh Veil.
6.30THE RUGGED ISLANDDocumentary film-maker Jenny Gilbertson has created an evocative representationof the life of fishing folk and crofters in Shetland through a dramatisationusing the real crofters as actors. Gilbertson lived amongst the Islanders forthe making of the film and this gives it an intimacy that is characteristic ofher work. Accompanied by a short talk from Janet McBain.Dir: Jenny Gilbertson. 1933. 42mins.
THE WESTERN ISLESThe story of life on Harris during the Second World War, photographed by thelegendary Jack Cardiff. The family's daily work continues after they hear ofthe sinking of the Atlantic Queen by a German submarine, with the knowledgethat one of their family was a crew member. Accompanied by a short talk byMargaret Bennett.Dir: Terence Egan Bishop. 1942. 14mins.
THEY ALSO SERVEDirected by Ruby Grierson sister of documentarist John Grierson), this is atribute to the British housewife. Set in the format of a day in the life of a"typical" household the film shows how the housewife /mother contributed muchto the war effort. Introduced by Joe Hall, DCA.Dir: Ruby Grierson. 1940. 8mins
8.30The Seventh Veil1945 90mins PGDir: Compton Bennet Stylish psychological melodrama that was a box-office smash and earnedhusband-and-wife writing team Muriel and Sydney Box an Academy Award for BestOriginal Screenplay. Starring James Mason and Herbert Lom. Francesca is aconcert pianist suffering from amnesia and depression; she enters a mentalhospital and hopes that under the care of a psychiatrist she can be inducedinto stripping away the seven veils concealing her traumatic private life.
