SCOTTISH PREMIERE - Responses !

U & ME & TENNESSEE had its Scottish premiere on "Bonfire Night" 2008, and while there were no sparks flying upwards, there WAS a tremendously warm feeling generated and shared by all who attended!

Alan Convery, president of the Glasgow University LGBT Society spoke before the screening about how delighted and proud they were to be hosting the premiere, along with Amy of the SCATS (the Student Cinema & Television Society) - supporting this local filmmaker (the guy on the left in the photo...) - the lights dimmed, and we were off!

This screening was far more relaxed than the London premiere at RAINDANCE, which I've written about below ("The First Reviews..."). The audience warmed immediately to the quick-witted, articulate and very funny man up there on the screen (the guy on the right in the photo above - Konrad Hopkins) and his tale of life as an unwitting Ganymede to the Zeus of Broadway. There were spontaneous swirls of laughter throughout - leavening even some of the more sombre, serious moments in the film, which reassured me, because I hope that U & ME & TENNESSEE engenders a compassionate and tender disillusioning in its viewers, and the wry chuckles at our Glasgow premiere testified to the desired impact.

It was a large crowd, and extremely diverse: many young gay and lesbian people, an ample contingent of the Future Filmmakers of Britain, quite a few seasoned actors and photographers, the former worldwide head of Dictionaries for Collins Publishers, a gentleman from Iraq, another from China, and a sizable host of middle-aged straight folk!

All of them "got" the movie - none felt alienated - though I daresay they were often surprised and disturbed.

But that is because U & ME & TENNESSEE is not conventional - it is original. And by offering a clear insight into Tennessee Williams's words and behaviour, the film naturally and effortlessly illuminates his artistic technique and intentions.

The audience response was totally positive. Carter Ferguson was extremely impressed by what he saw, and he has posted the following on the SCOTTISHFILMNET Yahoo Group:

"The film's ostensibly a conversation between Paul and Konrad, and is in turns illuminating, disturbing and fascinating. All in all I found it very enjoyable and a window into another world long gone. To actually hear the 1st hand account of the life and loves of such an incredible playwright brought to life without the necessity for "staged" dramatisation was entirely gripping. It is a frank and honest account told intelligently and stylishly."*

(*Carter's own new independent Scottish movie THE RAGE is now available to watch online! Carter wrote, produced, directed and edited it! )

My last post provoked a comment on the blog and an e-mail from Glasgay! assuring me that they were contemplating a Tennessee Williams festival long before I first voiced the idea to them. I must say that when we met initially and I floated the idea, I did get the impression that the notion of a Tennessee Williams festival was an intriguing and exciting new prospect to them.

But such an impression on my part may very well have been canny Scots caution on their part, so as not to disclose their own plans prematurely to a stranger (me), and I accept them at their word.

It was, as I say, an idea whose time had come.

I'm also regretful if any of my remarks caused Glasgay! annoyance or hurt, and I apologise unreservedly if such was the case. I am not attacking Glasgay!. I am simply stating the fact that they passed on U & ME & TENNESSEE, and noting some of the implications of this decision.

The irony is that Tennessee Williams thought Konrad Hopkins worth talking to and worth writing to, for four and a half years, but Glasgay! was not able to put itself into Mr. Williams's shoes and try to imagine just why he might have felt this way.

By ignoring U & ME &TENNESSEE, Glasgay! deliberately deprived Glasgow of the knowledge of its own genuine, living, cultural, gay, human connection with the late, great Tennessee Williams.

But Glasgay! is not alone in this. The Edinburgh International Film Festival also chose not to screen U & ME & TENNESSEE - and the same results obtain, but on a wider scale.

I can't help feeling disappointed for the people of my adopted nation at these turns of events.

On the other hand, U & ME & TENNESSEE did get its Scottish premiere, and I again express profound thanks - from Konrad Hopkins and myself - to the Glasgow University LGBT Society and to SCATS for their belief in the movie and their unreserved, full-hearted support.

Looking ahead, London will get another chance to experience Konrad Hopkins, but this time in the flesh, not merely onscreen! The British Library has invited Konrad down to speak about his experiences with Tennessee Williams this coming April, 2009.

And we continue to get requests from film festivals all around the world to submit our movie - so watch this space!

Photo copyright Alan Wylie 2006 -all rights reserved.

Text copyright Paul Birchard 2008 - all rights reserved.