I am very proud that Johnny Marr and Maxine Peake found my work and used it to make their short film The Priest (It’s the job of the artist to stand up to oppressive forces, G2, 11 December). Not so much that I think it is any sort of insightful literary masterpiece, more the fact that when meeting them both for the first time, I was treated not as some “homeless gadgie that writ something good” but as a writer and valued contributor.
It really was quite astounding when they first played The Priest to me. Maxine had, uncannily and almost identically, captured my thought patterns, how I speak to myself, and Johnny’s beautiful yet sinister music reflected my impressions of the city I had found myself in while in the direst circumstances. (He explained what he was doing and I honestly started thinking that he had visited me inside my head. The accolades bestowed upon him aren’t just legend!)
I suppose I kinda took their talents for granted, being familiar with their work, but to see it materialise in this way is completely overwhelming.
By the time this came about, my stories were, to me any way, just words on a page. I was tearful when I first heard their interpretation breathe life back into these experiences. The accuracy of their presentation awoke dormant memories.
The use of a female voice gave it a new dimension and has made this an everyperson tale, while keeping the integrity of the story. Musically it captures my fear and wonder of this strange situation of homelessness that affects so many people, often for no other reason except that they are poor.
I am writing this because I want to thank Maxine and Johnny publicly for their candour, grace and artistry – and to thank Molly Windsor, who portrays the character so well, and everyone else involved in the project.
Joe Gallagher
Edinburgh