CELTIC gods, Roman invasion and a whole lot of confusion – a “historical” US series that promised wizard’s hats for backers has failed in its funding bid.
The writer/director behind Celtics said the independent production would “unearth the truths” hidden for 2000 years “by successive political and religious regimes and empires”, including the genocide of people in “Lower Britain” and a god-led Celtic campaign against the “mortal crime” of censorship after “book burning” by the Romans, whose 43AD invasion came long before books were commonplace.
A crowdfunding page on the kickstarter platform promised star-spangled “druid” hats for backers, amongst other rewards, and clips revealed tartan-clad actors with blue-streaked faces delivering lines in a variety of misplaced accents while depicting Ireland’s Danu, Cerridwen of Wales and others.
READ MORE: Scots island stars in new TV series penned by Ian Rankin
As many as 20 series were planned, with filming to take place in a purpose-built replica broch and “sacred druid tree platforms”.
“Heroic Celtic Druid Gods, Myths and History – brought to life!", the makers said. “This is a wide and expansive historical movie series. Covering a range of time from the Bronze Age through the Iron Age to the Roman Empire invasion, occupation, subjugation, and the mighty and heroic Resistance against the Empire, which we see, in the last season, finally crushing and destroying the cruel Roman Empire, victoriously.”
While the pitch failed to bring in the $100,000 sought, attracting the lesser sum of $16,320, it did succeed in raising eyebrows in Scotland and beyond for its premise and execution.
Critics who questioned the use of the term Celtics instead of Celts were “indoctrinated by the British Empire”, while scores of Scots Gaels were blocked by the makers on Twitter for questioning the project, with some accused of “globalist neo-Marxism” for supporting Scottish membership of the EU.
Supporting that political union, the makers said, meant individuals are “for the destruction of Ireland and Scotland”, while others were described as getting “very indignant” when “the truth is told to them” due to their lack of education.
Baffled Gaelic-speakers discovered they’d been blocked without even interacting with the outfit, including TV presenter Joy Dunlop, with poet Morag Anna NicNeill joking: “Gonna change my name to Che Guth Bharraigh.”
“There are millions of Scottish all over the world,” said Celtic Films, “Of the few that remain loyal to one globalist empire or another, only a thousand were upset.”
In Canada, Gaelic publisher and blogger Dr Emily McEwan called the statements “delusional”.
Thanking backers, Celtics writer/director Michael Kingsbury described the project as “a story that has to be told”, adding: “This is just the first stage of fundraising. The Celtics series will be made.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel