May Miles Thomas / Scotland / 2013 / 90 min
Originally an award-winning website, May Miles Thomas’ The Devil’s Plantation is an accomplished yet to hard-define film narrated by Gary Lewis and Kate Dickie. The piece reveals the urban decay and renewal of Glasgow by contrasting the stories of ex-psychiatric patient Mary Ross (Dickie) and amateur archaeologist Harry Bell (Lewis), as they wander separately through different parts of the city, each searching for something significant that holds meaning for themselves.
Shot in black in white and taking over two years to make thanks to unpredictable Scottish weather, The Devil’s Plantation shows Glasgow in a very different light. It’s through Bell’s observations and writings, originally published his now out of print book; Glasgow’s Secret Geometry, the city’s unique history and foundations come to light. Yet, through Ross’ perception of the municipality after several decades in an institution, we see the changing attitudes and structure of the place. Miles Thomas’ film looks at Glasgow from all sides, the historical, the architectural, the emotional and perhaps most effectively from the perspective of those most familiar with it. Artfully shot, and featuring atmospheric music by Miles Thomas, The Devil’s Plantation is as much a love letter to Glasgow as it is a study of humanity and our search for meaning.
Showing as part of the Glasgow Film Festival 2013
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