The Edge of the World (U)

Sun 12 - 14 Feb

Film

This film will be followed by an open discussion as part of the Documentary Film Course.

Michael Powell is largely remembered as one Britain’s greatest fantasists. His films The Red Shoes, A Matter of Life & Death and many more use all the techniques at a filmmaker’s disposal to place convincing but unrecognisable worlds on screen. The film is a provocative mix of documentary elements and staged drama that tells the (partly true) story of the de-population of isolated, outer islands off the coast of Scotland. One by one, the younger generation leaves for the greater opportunities offered by the mainland, making it harder to follow the old ways of life there. With stunning location cinematography, this is an evocative and fascinating film in which Powell reveals what is at the heart of every great documentary - the ‘almost real’.

Director: Michael Powell, 1937