Hopefully this can cheer you up.
First thoughts
Well, this has been a bit of a weird week eh? I’m exhausted. I realise I have it good in many ways, but this constant changing of regulations requires such a huge amount of brain gymnastics. I had lots of ideas and thoughts and musings for this week, but all of the above seem to have disintegrated in my head into a sort of weird sludge. So the newsletter is a little short this week.
I saw a tweet about a BBC news presenter (Sonja Jessup) who ended the TV programme with “we hope you’re ok”. Which I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a news presenter doing before. But I think it’s a good idea to check in, and perhaps a marker of just how difficult things are. So -
I hope you’re doing OK.
Film
I saw people talking about this film a while ago, as it was made by a Scottish filmmaker and I somehow seem to be in about a million filmmaker Facebook groups, and most of them Scotland focused. So in one or more of them (I can’t remember) I saw some chat about this film. When I went on the BBC Scotland section of BBC iPlayer this week (I am absolutely delighted to be reunited with iPlayer), it was the first thing that popped up. It’s a documentary about the Faroe Islands (somewhere I’ve wanted to go for ages), so I thought - alright I’ll give this a go.
It. Was. Stunning.
Beautiful slow opening shots, gentle interweaving of what are quite nuanced issues to do with community, tradition, folklore, climate change, pollution, imperialism, activism, and our relationship with nature.
This film reminded me why I love documentary film.
I have felt like a bit of a fraud calling myself a “filmmaker”, as I haven’t actually made much since around 2017/2018 (even though I have a degree and diploma in documentary film). I realise now how much I miss studying and making film. Something to remedy in 2021.
I will maybe write a fuller review of this film soon, but for now - you should at least go and have a look at the trailer.
Projects
This is not a new project, but certainly one which I have been learning more about recently. It’s a response to the removal of everyday nature words from a widely used children’s dictionary. This has taken the form of music, books, and now a gorgeous selection of games - in order to keep the words in use. I would highly encourage you to look into it. They are planning some tour dates in 2021 - so fingers crossed.
YouTube
The Gentrification of Thrifting and Depop - The Personal Philosophy Project
As an avid Depop user (both for buying and selling), this caught my eye. It covers some things which I was vaguely aware of, but didn't think about in much detail. Although I love the app, there are some class issues which are very thoughtfully laid out here.
Also worth watching -
the gentrification of depop - Jordan Theresa
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions at catrionamedia@gmail.com
(If you are nosy - like I am - you can find out a bit more about me here).
Until the next time,
Catriona
(🔊“cah-tree-nah”)