Screening Scotland

“Shallow Grave” and “Trainspotting” were two of the most significant films for kick-starting the revival of a more successful and popular British cinema in the 90s. Both were Scottish. So are the actors Robert Carlyle and Ewan McGregor, two of the leading lights amongst the young talent spearheading this UK renaissance. Indeed over the past five years a vital Scottish cinema has emerged with a degree of independence from the British industry and a confidence and identity of its own. This book provides the first overview of these developments and the institutional context within that such successes as “Regeneration”, “Carla’s Song”, “Mrs Brown”, and “My Name Is Joe” have appeared.It also examines the longer and deeper history of Scottish film production, from the silent period onward, that has yet to receive its full due. The emergence of a new Scottish cinema is related to the development of film production based in Scotland via a consideration of the significance of documentary and the convergence of television drama and cinema.It explores the inspirational work of pioneering ‘auteurs’ like Bill Douglas and Bill Forsyth and a new wave of creative filmmaking, drawing upon both popular genres and the more personal concerns of European art cinema. Lastly the book also considers the increasing international engagement with Scotland that has led to the making of Hollywood blockbusters like Rob Roy and the Oscar winning Braveheart. Placing its analysis in the context of a devolving British cinema and the idea of national cinemas more generally, “Screening Scotland” provides a unique overview of interest to a wide range of readers.

Reviews of Screening Scotland

""Screening Scotland is by far and away the best assessment of Scottish cinema yet."-"Times Higher Education Supplement