TEN years ago, my heavily pregnant daughter Jane found herself filming me campaigning in the Scottish independence referendum.
To See Ourselves records a pivotal moment in Scottish history when the 300-year Treaty of Union came close to breaking.
Given the significance, you might expect the Scottish film institutions to be energetic in backing the production as they "support compelling, thought-provoking documentary filmmaking driven by vision". Not so. Despite having worked with them in the past and won artistic recognition, assistance was denied along with a platform to pitch to prospective funders.
Buy tickets for our screening here
Independence activists became familiar with obstruction throughout 2014. With little cash and few "connections", audacity became a must. So when the Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council stopped a Yes group renting a nearby shop, an ice-cream van was hired. Instead of cones, window posters were handed to kids with a "gie that tae yer maw".
READ MORE: Extra capacity added as independence anniversary event sells out
In like fashion, the film’s £25,000 distribution budget was reached entirely through crowdfunding. The film, which was meant to be banned, has now reached audiences in 40 towns and villages throughout Scotland.
Much time has passed since the euphoria of that dream, yet those emotions remain close to the surface. This was evident during Q&As when audience members shared personal memories.
In Dundee one man said he used to work in St Andrew’s House and came in on that silent, sombre Friday to find both Yessers and No voters in a paralysing state of shock. Unwilling to speak and unable to work, many went home.
A lady in Inverness confided she was passing when the Yes banner in the film dropped over the Salisbury Crags. It was her signal to leave an abusive relationship.
At Edinburgh’s Cameo a gentleman remarked that during 2014 he educated himself by attending monthly public meetings in his small Perthshire town.
Representatives from all political parties took it turns to contribute to "Comrie Conversations".
READ MORE: Why you should see my indyref documentary on this major anniversary
I guessed this was happening, but it wasn’t until I was sitting on a sunny bench beside an elderly resident in the tiny Hebridean village of Toberonochy that I realised this "national conversation" was "on" and everywhere.
Gesturing towards a Yes sticker on a windscreen, I asked the lady if she had decided how to vote. She wasn’t sure but said a friendly couple had come to her door with Yes leaflets.
By the end of September 18, 84.6% of the population over 16 had voted.
This peaceful, democratic insurgency mocked Better Together/Project Fear’s lie: "Nobody wants your referendum!" ... the first lie in their lying, gaslighting, festival of lies. Astonishingly, 96% registered to vote.
The vote went against independence but amidst the many outrages of the last 10 years, not least the loss of our European citizenship, support for Scottish sovereignty has increased. Demographics suggest this trend will grow. Thanks to an awakening most Scots seek the power To Be Ourselves.
Buy tickets here for our September 17 screening of To See Ourselves, followed by a panel featuring Fraser, Jane, Lesley Riddoch and Keith Brown.
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