‘A writer whose openness of mind, voice and structure all come from the Beats maybe, and Whitman crossed with MacDiarmid, but then cut their own original (and crucially female) path. A unique and underrated filmmaker, nobody like her. Born of the Italian neo-realists, formed of her own Scottish pragmatism, optimism, generosity and experimental spirit, and a clear forerunner of the English experimental directors of the late 20th century. A clear example of, and pioneer of, the poetic tradition, the experimental tradition, the democratic tradition, in the best of risk-taking Scottish cinema.’ ALI SMITH ON MARGARET TAIT from www.luxonline.org.uk
LUX is pleased to announce the release of a new DVD collection of key films by Occadian poet and filmmaker Margaret Tait. Produced from newly restored prints and available for the first time on DVD, this collection represents an important and overlooked voice in Scottish cinema. Included in the selection are Where I am is Here (1964) a timeless paean to the city of Edinburgh in winter, Hugh MacDiarmid: A Portrait (1964) an affectionate and intimate study of the Scottish poet on the streets of his home town, Portrait of Ga (1952) a loving portrait of the artists’ mother which raises questions of what a portrait might be and John Macfadyen (1970), a joyful hand-painted film to the music of the Orkney Reel Society.
Margaret Tait was one of Britain's most unique and individual artist filmmakers. Over the course of 46 years she produced over 30 films including one feature, Blue Black Permanent (1992) and published five books of poetry and short stories, while living between the Island of Orkney and Edinburgh. Margaret described her life's work as consisting of making film-poems. She often quoted Lorca's phrase of 'stalking the image' to define her philosophy and method, the idea that if you look at an object closely enough it will speak its nature. This clarity of vision and purpose with an attention to simple commonplace subjects combined with a rare sense of inner rhythm and pattern give her films a transcendental quality, while still remaining firmly rooted within the everyday. Margaret once said of her films, with characteristic modesty, that they are born of 'of sheer wonder and astonishment at how much can be seen in any place that you choose...if you really look'.
DVD contains the following films: Portrait of Ga (1952), Aerial (1974), Hugh MacDiarmid: A Portrait (1964), Where I am is Here (1964), Place of Work (1976), Tailpiece (1976), John Macfadyen (1970).
The DVD will be launched at a special screening of rare and newly restored Margaret Taits films at the Curzon Soho, London on 22nd November 2006.
FOR MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING REVIEW COPIES AND IMAGES please contact BECKY MOLL at LUX on 020 7503 3979, becky@lux.org.uk
