It's happening tomorrow, but it's another example of the Glasgow Film Festival is eclectic and inclusive. The world premiere of We Are Northern Lights is the culmination of the first ever crowd-sourced, mass participation film project in Scotland.
Creative director, Dr Nick Higgins made a call out for people to film their perspective on Scotland, and send them to him for inclusion in the film. He got back 1500 submissions. and 300 hours of footage. Perhaps in the subsequent five months of editing, Higgins pondered the wisdom of his project, and possibly cursed Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohli for explaining how to make and submit their short piece.
The result, however, was worth the effort. The Scottish Government Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, is excited (To me, it has set a standard for cultural projects - it's reached out to our diverse communities and inspired them to think about how they can use culture and creativity - not only to promote their local identity but to enhance community engagement," she said) and Higgins observes that "Whilst individually the videos might not be considered of national importance, collectively they combine to create something truly original and inspiring. It’s an image of a new Scotland that might surprise some people."
They would say that, though. The film might be the least interesting part of the project: as with all community orientated productions, it isn't the final product that matters that the process, and the traces it leaves behind for the participants. In this case, two earlier models of crowd sourced material replacing the work of professionals are instructive.
One is the behaviour of the news media towards content created by "eye-witnesses." The almost relentless adaptation of footage from cameras, bloggers' content and amateur reporters that has turned up on Sky News has seen massive cost savings and the manipulation of public enthusiasm by a multinational corporation. It has led to lower quality news and culture reporting (why employ an expensive camera crew when this guy is giving it away?). And it has done nothing to empower the communities who now provide a news source.
Then there is the more empowering activities of organisations like Toonspeak, who train communities to make work, enjoy being part of a production and work steadily, over time, within excluded areas. Higgins project might have made a few people realise that they have the kit and confidence to make their own films.
This is a little more important that Hislop's statement that "I am sure that everyone involved is very proud." In fact, it works against the existing power structures that provide her with her title, by allowing communities to make their own art.
A trailer can be viewed here: http://wearenorthernlights.
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