Scottish Screen have found themselves at the
centre of a row over their refusal to give any
funding to ‘Devil’s Gate’,
a feature film currently shooting in the
Shetland Islands. The agency, who were set up
to boost film production in Scotland, rejected
the application for funding by the film makers
in a letter which described the islands as "one
of the most inhospitable parts of the UK"Scottish
Screen have found themselves at the centre of
a row over their refusal to give any funding
to ‘Devil’s Gate’, a feature
film currently shooting in the Shetland Islands.
The agency, who were set up to boost film production
in Scotland, rejected the application for funding
by the film makers in a letter which described
the islands as "one of the most inhospitable
parts of the UK"
It went on: "There was general bafflement
as to why a film which could be shot anywhere
should chose to relocate to one of the most
inhospitable parts of the UK at one of the most
difficult times of the year. You have yourself
indicated that there is no need to place the
story anywhere"
The remarks have caused anger in the islands.
Tavish Scott, the Shetland MSP, has written
to James Lee, Scottish Screen’s chairman
asking for an explanation of the comments. He
added, I have also demanded an immediate review
of why a grant was not given for this production.
If I don’t get a satisfactory response
I shall be taking this up with ministers. I
think Scottish Screen have a lot to answer for."
The film — the first to be made in the
islands since 1936 — is going ahead despite
Scottish Screen’s lack of involvement.
Scottish Screen have stressed that their refusal
of the application was due to the quality of
the project and no reflection on Shetland as
a film making location. Steve McIntyre, Chief
Executive of Scottish Screen defended their
decision on the BBC’s Reporting Scotland.
He said, "It’s difficult filming anywhere
in the North of Europe during winter —
the film makers had taken no account of that.
Secondly, (the film) isn’t very good. Our
panel rejected it unanimously."
Filming on ‘Devil’s Gate’
continues in the Islands until early February.
|
