Sea Change is back on the 23rd September in The Isle of Tiree. Join us for a weekend of 15 films, workshops, activities and special guests! This year, we will be celebrating the life and work of Moomins creator, Tove Jansson with a series of Finnish films supported by Swedish Cultural Foundation and The Finnish Institute. Read more about our films and events below.
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Friday 23 September 2022
Opening Night Film: Journey To The Isles (U)
Dir. Marjory Kennedy Fraser, Scotland, 1927-1928, (1h 30)
8pm Friday 23 September, An Talla, Crossapol
Kennedy-Fraser began collecting Hebridean songs in 1905, fired up by a desire to preserve and celebrate the musical riches of the island’s people. These two disarming films, shot by Kennedy-Fraser herself, provide a snapshot of her work and the culture of the people she devoted her life to studying.
Newly commissioned by Hippfest with storytelling, music & song by Marion Kenny & Mairi Campbell, the screening will include an extraordinary performance featuring a quern stone from Campbell’s great-great grandmother’s croft on the island of Lismor.
This project is supported by the BFI Film Audience Network with National Lottery funding as part of CURIOUS.
Image credit: Kat Gollock
£12/£8 Concessions
Saturday 24 September 2022
Polar Bears Swim
9am Saturday 24 September, Crossapol (Meeting at An Talla end)
Join the local Polar Bears group for wild swimming at Crossapol.
FREE
The Camera is Ours: Britain’s Women Documentary Makers (12A)
Pro. Independent Cinema Office, UK, 1935-67 (1h 37)
10am Saturday 24 September, An Talla, Crossapol
A special programme of archived films curated by the Independent Cinema Office showcasing pioneering female documentary makers of the 1930’s to late sixties. Documentaries include Marion Grierson’s BESIDE THE SEA (1935), Ruby Grierson’s THEY ALSO SERVE (1940), Brigid ‘Budge’ Cooper’s BIRTH-DAY (1945), Kay Mander’s HOME FOR THE PEOPLE (1945) and Sarah Erulkar’s SOMETHING NICE TO EAT (1967). [Please note that: Beside the Seaside and Birth-day include scenes reflecting harmful racist views that were pervasive at the time of their making.]
Presented by BFI archiving curator and specialist in political and campaigning documentaries Ros Cranston.
Image courtesy of Panamint.
£7.50/£5 Concessions
‘Island’ Filmmaking workshop with Minttu Mäntynen
11:30am Saturday 24th September, Isle of Tiree Distillery, Balephuil
What does it feel like to come to an island, live on an island, dream about an island or maybe even be an island?
Taking the idea of an ‘island’ as a loose starting point, Minttu will share some images and writings for ideas and inspiration, helping the group develop an idea for a collaborative short film. We’ll look at experimental work, documentary and essay films as well as photography. We will talk about the visual storytelling and practical filmmaking techniques. There will be space for conversation and questions.
No prior knowledge of filmmaking to attend, just an interest or curiosity about storytelling in moving images. For the practical part it will be useful to have a camera – a smart phone will do and a voice recorder app will come handy.
£10/£8 Concessions
16 Years Till Summer (12A)
Dir. Lou McLoughlan, UK, 2015 (1h 27)
1.30pm Saturday 24th September, An Talla, Crossapol
After 16 years of shame and exile Uisdean returns home to Lochcarron to nurse his ageing father. However, with his past impossible to escape, building a new life in a small community seems impossible, until a woman with an iron will steps in.
Filmed over four years in the Highlands of Scotland, 16 Years Till Summer follows a complex, heart breaking and infuriating true story to redemption, interrupted.
The screening will include an introduction and Q&A with the director.
£7.50/£5 Concessions
Moominvalley: Episodes 1-3 (U)
Dir. Steve Box, Finland. UK, 2019 (1h 06)
Drop in Screenings at The Noust as part of Moomin Trail
Fri-Sat-Sun 11am-4pm
A brand new TV adaptation of the much loved work of Tove Jansson, following Moomintroll, his extraordinary family and whimsical friends in Moomvalley. A magical series retold with innovative 3D animation with all your favourite Moomin characters, including Little My, Snufkin, Sniff, Mymble, Snorkmaiden, Moominpapa, Moominmamma, Moomintroll and The Groke.
This screening will be the BBC Alba version in Gaelic with English subtitles.
Episode 1. Little My Moves In; Episode 2. The Spring Tune; Episode 3. The Last Dragon In The World
Screenwriting Masterclass with Eeva Putro
2pm Saturday 24th September, Isle of Tiree Distillery, Balephuil (1h)
Eeva Putro’s first feature film as a screenwriter is the biopic “Tove”, which she also stars in. It sold to over 50 countries and was an Oscar entry of Finland in 2021. Putro was nominated for her script for the Jussi Award and won the Sylvi Award 2021.
This session is a chance to find out about Eeva’s process, the challenges she faced with the biopic and what she left out. Eeva will discuss how she approaches character development and story structure. There will be plenty of time for questions in this session!
£10/£8 Concessions
Petite Maman (U)
Dir. Céline Scaimma, France, 2021 (1h 13)
4pm Saturday 24 Septmeber, An Talla, Crossapol
After the death of her beloved grandmother, eight-year-old Nelly meets a strangely familiar girl her own age in the woods. Instantly forming a connection with this mysterious new friend, Nelly embarks on a fantastical journey of discovery which helps her come to terms with this newfound loss.
Another intimate and mesmerising feature by Céline Scaimma following her highly acclaimed award-winning Portrait of a Lady on Fire. This screening will take place in a family friendly hall where children can come and go.
We’re delighted to have Melanie Iredale from Birds Eye View to introduce the film!
£7.50/£5 Concessions
Industry Event: How to Fund your First Feature with Lou Fox McLoughlan
4:30pm Saturday 24th September, Isle of Tiree Distillery, Balephuil (45mins)
Lou Fox McLoughlan is a Grierson, BAFTA and RTS award winning documentary cinematographer and director based in Glasgow. She is currently working internationally across the film and TV sector.
Lou will share the journey of funding an internationally co-produced feature with Creative Scotland, SDI, the Icelandic Film Centre and BR. She will talk about how she used her experience of using an award winning short film to get onto the Berlinale Talent Lab, and secure the funding to develop, fund and pitch a feature at Visions du Reel’s Pitch du Reel. She will also become unfeasibly excited remembering the effortless talents of film score composers Rona Wilkie and Marit Falt, who she worked with on 16 Years Till Summer.
£10/£8 Concessions
Rolling with the Bunches: Finnish Female Films From The Archive (N/C)
Pro. Midnight Sun Festival, Finland, 1968-97 (32min)
6pm, Isle of Tiree Distillery, FREE ENTRY
Enjoy ground-breaking feminist films from Finland all shot on 16mm! A programme of shorts by three Finnish female directors from the late 1960s to 90s.
Featuring Eila Kaaresalo’s WOULD MOMMA ALLOW? (1968) and FINNISH FRUSTRATIONS (1969); Marja Pensala’s ELSA (1982) FLY, LOVE (1989); and Marjut Rimminen’s MANY HAPPY RETURNS (1997) and I’M NOT A FEMINIST BUT.. (1986).
Curated and presented by Milja Mikkola from Midnight Sun Film Festival.
Moomins on the Riviera (U)
6pm Saturday 24th September, An Talla, Crossapol
Life in the valley is relatively calm for the Moomins and their friends in the forest. In search of a more exciting time the Moomins, along with Snorkmaiden and Little My, set sail across stormy seas, battling the elements until they reach the glamorous French Riviera. In this new luxurious location, a dazzling but expensive new lifestyle tempts the Moomins and their silly behaviour threatens to cause divisions in the family for the very first time.
This beautiful hand-drawn animation more closely resembles the original books than previous Moomin incarnations and focusses on the importance of family and learning to appreciate the simple things in life.
£5/£3.50 Concessions (FREE ENTRY for Tiree children)
Beach Walk Along Crossapol
7pm Saturday 24th September, An Tala, Crossapol
FREE
Tove (12A)
Dir. Zaida Bergroth, Finland.Sweden, 2021 (1h 43)
8pm Saturday 24 September, An Talla, Crossapol
The captivating story of how Tove Jansson became a household name through the creation of The Moomins. Focusing on the artists formative years, the biopic follower her through the dizzying art parties of 1940’s Helsinki, as she explores her sexuality and purses an intense love affair with theatre director Vivica Bandler. This realistic tale of success, struggle and Jansson’s unwavering pursuit of freedom, is brought to life with a passionate performance from Alma Pöysti.
The screening will be introduced remotely by Tove Jansson’s niece, Sophia Jansson, and will be followed by an in-person Q&A with screenwriter Eeva Putro.
£7.50/£5 Concessions
Sunday 25 September 2022
Polar Bears Swim
9am Sunday 25 September, Crossapol (Meeting at An Talla end)
Join the local Polar Bears group for wild swimming at Crossapol.
FREE
Travel’s With Tove (PG)
Dir. Kanerva Cederström, Finland, 1993 (58mins)
10am Sunday 25th September, An Talla, Crossapol
A rare screening of Tuulikki Pietilä and her partner Tove Jansson’s collaborative “home-movies”, documenting their round-the-world trip to Japan, Hawaii, Mexico and the United States between 1971-1972. Shot on a Konica cine-camera purchased by Pietilä on arrival in Japan, the footage provides a unique insight into couple’s shared life, humour and artistic expression. Narrated with quick-witted observations, the pair take turns operating the camera, turning a lens on the other and the cities and towns they visit.
The screening will be accompanied by an introduction and Q&A with the director Kanerva Cederström.
Image cursory of the Moomin Character Archive
£7.50/£5 Concessions
‘Island’ Filmmaking workshop with Minttu Mäntynen
11.30am Sunday 25th September, Alan Stevenson House, Hynish (1h 30)
What does it feel like to come to an island, live on an island, dream about an island or maybe even be an island?
Taking the idea of an ‘island’ as a loose starting point, Minttu will share some images and writings for ideas and inspiration, helping the group develop an idea for a collaborative short film. We’ll look at experimental work, documentary and essay films as well as photography. We will talk about the visual storytelling and practical filmmaking techniques. There will be space for conversation and questions.
No prior knowledge of filmmaking to attend, just an interest or curiosity about storytelling in moving images. For the practical part it will be useful to have a camera – a smart phone will do and a voice recorder app will come handy.
£10/£8 Concessions
Beach Walk Along Balinoe
12pm Sunday 25th September, An Talla, Crossapol
FREE
Moominvalley: Episodes 4-6 (U)
Dir. Steve Box, Finland. UK, 2019 (44mins)
Sunday 25th September, time and venue TBC
A brand new TV adaptation of the much loved work of Tove Jansson, following Moomintroll, his extraordinary family and whimsical friends in Moomvalley. A magical series retold with innovative 3D animation, with all your favourite Moomin characters, including Little My, Snufkin, Sniff, Mymble, Snorkmaiden, Moominpapa, Moominmamma, Moomintroll and The Groke.
This screening will be the BBC Alba version in Gaelic with English subtitles.
Episode 4. Moominsummer Madness; Episode 5. The Golden Tale; Episode 6. The Secret Hattifatteners
Big vs Small (N/C 15+)
Dir. Minna Dufton, Finland, 2020 (1h 16)
2pm Sunday 25th September, An Talla, Crossapol
Big wave champion surfer, Joana Andrade, is known for riding the amazon waves at Nazaré, Portugal, home of the 100ft World Record Wave surfed by Garrett McNama. In a momentous incident in which Andrade expressed a fear of drowning to filmmaker Minna Dufton, their documentary took a new turn …
Bringing together the Portuguese surfer with Finnish world champion free diver, Johanna Nordblad, the film follows Andrade as she faces her fear through an unusual series of training sessions. BIG vs SMALL is a modern-day fairy-tale stretching from the raging monster waves in the south to the dark stillness of a far-north, frozen Finnish lake.
With an introduction from the cast and crew, perfect viewing after a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
Image Joana Andrade by Tim Bonython
£7.50/£5 Concessions
Quick Dip – Sea Change Shorts
3pm Sunday 25th September, Alan Stevenson House, Hynish
A selection of short films from female filmmakers.
FREE ENTRY
Island Stories: Finnish Female Archive Film Programme 2 (N/C)
Pro. Midnight Sun Festival, Finland, 1968-97 (26min)
4pm Sunday 25th September, Alan Stevenson House, Hynish
Another programme of 16mm Finnish shorts celebrating female filmmaking! Featuring Marjut Rimminen’s THE STRAIN (1992); and Camila Mickwitz’s EMILIA AND THE KING (1978).
Curated and presented by Milja Mikkola from Midnight Sun Film Festival.
FREE ENTRY
Queen of Glory (15)
Dir Nana Mensah, USA, 2021, (1h 18)
5pm Sunday 25th September, An Talla, Crossapol
Ghanaian-American Sarah is all set to abandon her Ivy League doctoral program to follow her married lover across the country, when her mother dies suddenly and makes her the owner of a neighbourhood Christian bookshop in the Bronx.
An “inviting and understated indie about immigrant identity anxieties” – Variety. Queen of Glory is a stunning and insightful debut about self-discovery through inheritance, loss, community, family and tradition.
With Q&A with director Nana Mensah!
£7.50/£5 Concessions
Closing Night Film: Hermit of Treig (PG)
Dir. Lizzie Mackenzie, Scotland, 2022 (1h 19)
8pm Sunday 25th September, An Talla, Crossapol
After 40 years of solitude, a spirited elderly hermit opens his life to young female director as he tackles ill health, a declining memory, and questions whether he can live out his last years in the wilderness he calls home.
Ken Smith has spent the past four decades living alone in a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as ‘the lonely loch’. He has no electricity or running water. He lives off the land, fishing for his supper, chopping wood, and even brewing his own tipple. Building a friendship over 10 years, director Lizzie Mackenzie beautifully and sensitively documents Ken’s unique relationship to the wilderness and the challenges he faces with each changing season.
Audience Award Winner at Glasgow Film Festival 2022 .
We’re delighted to have Lizzie Mackenzie here on Tiree to introduce the film and take questions from the audience.
£7.50/£5 Concessions
