The Happy Lands - "something remarkable"

The Happy Lands is a film about the 1926 General Strike in Fife. Interesting, but so what? Well what makes this film unique is that the actors are all local people (including UNISON members), the script was written by local people, and even the film sets were built by local people - all under the direction of Theatre Workshop Scotland. A taste of what's been achieved can be seen in the trailer https://vimeo.com/42118987

And what those involved felt about seeing the film for the first time can be seen in this footage from the recent gala opening night https://vimeo.com/46477536

And here's what Tony Garnett of Kes and Cathy Come Home has to say about it: "A film set in a mining community during the 1926 General Strike is unexpected in the present climate. One created by a community - that is, by the creative involvement of the whole community - may be unique. Make that a community that was still digging coal up in the 1980s, whose parents and grandparents were actually part of the 1926 strike, who listened as children to first hand accounts, and have brought that experience to the film: well, then you have something remarkable. This is original and daring. It promises emotional authority. It could be an example for others to follow".

For more background and interviews with actors see http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/happylands/index.html