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National Library of Scotland

Biography of 'Scottish Screen Collection'

Publicly funded film collection

In April 1997, the Scottish Film Council, Scottish Screen Locations, Scottish Broadcast and Film Training and the Scottish Film Production Fund merged to form the non-departmental government body Scottish Screen. Creating a ‘one stop shop’ for the screen industries was important and built on the momentum of success stories such as Braveheart (1995), Rob Roy (1995) and Trainspotting (1996). Scottish Screen had an ambitious remit - concerned with cultural and educational access to screen heritage as well as the business and resourcing of film-making in Scotland.

As the parent body of the Scottish Screen Archive, Scottish Screen had an obligation to preserve films funded from the public purse, particularly relevant now distribution of Lottery funds was its responsibility. Although funding arrangements existed between its predecessor bodies and other organisations (eg. broadcasters), Scottish Screen also introduced a clause in production agreements that provided for a copy of the finished work to be deposited for archival preservation.

In 2007, the Scottish Screen Archive transferred to the National Library of Scotland, and with it, the responsibility to continue collecting film, video and born digital work. Scottish Screen transferred their former distribution collection and back catalogue to the Archive, much of which was earlier work not covered by the new arrangements. This diverse collection of modern Scottish film production now promises to grow in partnership with Creative Scotland from 2010 and far into Scotland’s digital future.

The collection contains creative and factual documentary, experimental artists film, video dance, animation, comedy, horror, drama …. They include films made by people of all ages, some featuring Scottish actors ‘before they were famous’, and there are plenty of lesser-known titles to explore, eg. THE EVANESCENT HERB GARDEN OF DEATH (1993)

Dating from the early 1980s onwards, such works have generally been made through a variety of funding and training initiatives. Scottish Screen and its predecessor bodies ran such schemes in collaboration with partners, ensuring vital broadcast and theatrical exposure for new filmmaking talent.

First Reels (1991 - 1999), in collaboration with Scottish Television, offered small financial incentives (£50 - £2000) but more importantly, hands-on experience and exposure. The scheme proved a springboard to greater things for talent such as Peter Mullan, David Tennant and Hannah Robinson, yet supported community groups (Pilton Video, Castlemilk Elderly Forum), individual animators, dancers, students and video artists. Prime Cuts (1996 - 1998) followed, encouraging innovative films on 16mm between 5 – 7 min, from documentary to experimental. Graduates of this scheme include acclaimed video dance artist, Katrina McPherson and directors Morag MacKinnon, Justin Molotnikov and Elly M. Taylor. Tartan Shorts (1993 - 1996), Tartan Smalls (2002 - 2005) and the Gaelic language Geur Ghearr (1996 - 1998) - schemes working with with BBC Scotland and Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig - led to short films shown on family television sets across the country, and those same titles distributed to festivals across the world. Amongst this collection is the Oscar-winning FRANZ KAFKA'S IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1993), This Scotland (2002 - 2005) and New Found Land (2000 - 2004) are examples of schemes co-funded by STV and Grampian that produced a variety of productions with longer running times of up to 25 min and a strong emphasis on quality documentary.

Around 2002, a slight shift away from shorts to predominantly Scottish-funded features as well as international co-productions is evident. These range from the hard-hitting 16 YEARS OF ALCOHOL (2003), to the lighthearted STONE OF DESTINY (2008). SEACHD - INACCESSIBLE PINNACLE (2007) is the first feature film in the language of Scottish Gaelic to achieve mainstream cinematic distribution. (The archive holds deposit copies on 35mm as well as HD). International co-productions include SKAGERRAK (2004) and animated THE THREE MUSKETEERS (DE TRE MUSKATERER) (2006).

Aside from the funded schemes, there is much to enjoy. Music video 4 Minute Wonders (2001 - 2003) feature Scottish bands and record labels (Soma, Chemikal Underground). Bridging the Gap (since 2004) remains an intelligent, creative force in Scottish film-making. Scottish Students on Screen (started c. 1999) material ranges from GUID MAN OF BALLENGEICH (2001), made by schoolchildren in Stirlingshire, to COLD TAPE (2000), shown at Tate Britain. Interviews, stills, scripts, and other supporting documentation relating to the films are all kept.

There are just under 700 titles recorded to date. As well as basic content information, much of which has been taken from secondary sources (title, release date, synopsis, director, producer, production company, sponsor), full cast and credits are transcribed directly from viewing the source material. For the first time, the full scope, range and amount of Scottish publicly funded film in the last three decades has been brought together in one searchable set of data – with open public access worldwide.

Due to rights and conditions of deposit, viewings are only offered on National Library of Scotland premises. Requests for a loan, to screen, duplicate or otherwise distribute material in the collection should be directed to Creative Scotland. Permission for such uses will only be given in consultation with rights holders.

This is a work in progress - a constantly evolving collection. The growth of the collection reflects the creativity and talent of those working the screen industries in Scotland. The collection continues to flourish, with new work produced under Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland.

Missing, believed lost?
Gaps in the collection have been identified, and it would be invaluable to find this material and preserve it in the national collection. Representation of earlier work, such as First Reels, is patchy (eg. an interview with the director of a film exists on Betacam SP tape, but the 16mm completed film is nowhere to be seen!) Some films are incomplete or in poor condition and there may still be surviving material somewhere.

Researcher: Ann Cameron

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

Title Release date Film reference Sound Colour Date film record added Date video added Asc Desc
	MALEVOLENT [13939] Add to my films Siblings, Jackson (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) and Angela (Florence Pugh) run a profitable ghost-busting racket; swindling the bereaved with fake detection equipment and Angela's paranormal 'visions.' Hired to investigate a haunted old foster home, the team uncover its terrifying past — young girls brutally slaughtered, mouths stitched shut, silenced by a sadistic killer. Angela's on the edge, sleepless, strung out and losing her mind, no longer certain what's actually real; convinced she hears the girls crying out to her from the darkness...		2018 sound col
	MAN [13887] Add to my films MAN is an expansion of gender and language, a journey of physical transformation through the wilderness of pregnancy echoed by the sole remaining recording of Virginia Woolf’s voice.		2016 sound col
	MAN AT THE WINDOW [7864] Add to my films An intimate portrait of a psychiatric patient tormented by the relentless clanging of the hospital bell.	Onsite only	2002 sound col
	MAN DANCIN' [8153] Add to my films Set in Glasgow where a fresh out of jail gangster, Jimmy Kerrigan, comes home to find that everything and everyone has changed - none more so than him. Inevitably old and new clash, and when they do, some changes will be for ever.	Onsite only	2004 sound col
	MAN FOR A DAY [13904] Add to my films Is it possible to expand one's boundaries with regard to male/female behavior through a self-conscious transformation from one gender to another?		2012 sound col
	MANJI [7854] Add to my films Struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife and his once successful car business, Manji escapes into a Bollywood fantasy world of music and dance.		2001 sound col
	MARCIE'S DOWRY [7511] Add to my films Marcie’s Dowry is an explosive black comedy. All is not well down at Wise farm. Gus and Molly have spent all their money on their only daughter Marcie. Now she’s getting married and somebody’s going to have to pay.	Onsite only	1999 sound col
	MAROONED [7913] Add to my films An urban fairy tale about a shy left-luggage attendant at a busy station who becomes obsessed with a customer and secretly opens her suitcase. Passion and curiosity draw him into a dangerous world beyond his experience.	Onsite only	1994 sound col
	MARRIAGE COUNSELLOR, the [7658] Add to my films Davie Morgan is a marriage counsellor on the verge of a nervous breakdown. His wife is about to leave him and his compulsive gambling is getting out of control. And when a marriage counsellor's marriage is in trouble it's got to affect his work…..	Onsite only	2003 sound col
	MATING CALLS: The Animal Dating Game [8507] Add to my films Imagine if you were able to watch a mouse and a snake go out on a date? What would they talk about, what would they do? In Mating Calls you get to watch our animals on their dating adventures..... "Let your animal instincts decide"		2006 sound col
	ME & HER [7612] Add to my films Coleen and Damien have spent a summer together working as chambermaids. As the summer comes to an end, after fumbling through hangovers and personal insecurities, they confront their unexpected attraction to each other.	Onsite only	2006 sound col
	MEAT THE CAMPBELLS [7623] Add to my films An invitation to dinner has never been so deadly. A stylish children's comedy that will leave you wanting more!	Onsite only	2005 sound col
	MEET ME BY THE WATER [13882] Add to my films In a small Scottish fishing town a young Asian woman must decide whether to leave home and family for a new life in South America.		2016 sound col
	MEINE HEIMATSTADT MY HOME TOWN [8160] Add to my films This traditionally drawn animation looks at the effects of modern media in desensitising the public to acts of mass atrocity, focusing on episodes of genocide in modern history.		2000 sound col
	MENTIRAS [7607] Add to my films "Mentiras" is a visually stunning but profoundly unsettling journey through the world's largest city. Based on one man's confession to human rights crimes committed with the backing of the Mexican government it is the story of a troubled conscience and the rupturing of official lies.	Onsite only	2006 sound col
	MERMAID, the [7626] Add to my films An isolated and widowed fisherman discovers a hideous and frail mermaid in his nets and decides to nurse her back to health.	Onsite only	2005 sound col
	MERRY GO ROUND: A Life Remembered [8002] Add to my films Made by the 50 Plus video group for Pilton Video Project, this drama explores the life experiences of people of retirement age, from school days, through the second world war and working lives, and indifference from the authorities when they retire in 1990. It seems nothing much changes - lack of money, hard working days and no help from the government - but that doesn't stop them enjoying the merry-go-round of life.		1993 sound col
	MILK [7681] Add to my films Jennifer, a secretive young woman, must bathe her estranged grandmother. A film of intimate portraits with stunning performances.	Onsite only	2004 sound col
	MINNIE'S MUCKLE MESHI [3464] Add to my films One of a series of ten animation films made by children in small village primary schools in Scotland, also involving the local community. The series was broadcast on Scottish Television and Grampian Television, and distributed on video through schools and libraries.	Onsite only	1996 sound col
	MIRROR, MIRROR [7972] Add to my films An insight into what goes on in the ladies loos of a nightclub as seen by the mirror on the wall.		1996 sound col
	MISSING [8055] Add to my films Missing examines the experience of those left behind when a loved one disappears without warning or explanation.	Onsite only	2007 sound col
	MISTXT: When Good Text Goes Bad [8504] Add to my films Mistxt follows the adventures of the hapless but loveable Bumps who suffer the consequences of mobile texting errors. In each short clip, a friendly Bump seemingly engaged in a perfectly normal occupation gets derailed by its predictive text equivalent.		2006 sound col
	MITZY BOO [7863] Add to my films When a backpacking guy falls in love with a woman called Mitzy Boo, their future is finally terminated, in the heart of the Panamanian jungle, by a deadly Bushmaster snake.		2000 sound col
	MOCK 'N' ROLL DREAMS [7520] Add to my films Mock n' Roll Dreams delves into Scotland's growing trend in tribute bands - Freddie Mercury is alive and well and playing in a club near you soon.	Onsite only	2003 sound col
	MOLERENDER: A Tale of Horror [8176] Add to my films Writer-in-residence Nick Hesketh started with the idea of a child and an unusual pet. Pupils from Mid Craigie Primary School took it from there, wrote the story, made the film, and horrified the adults.		2001 sound col
	MONO [7614] Add to my films When Emily's quiet life is disrupted by a noisy musician moving in next door, the outcome is far from muted. After a terrible aural misunderstanding, the silence is deafening, and it's up to Emily to break the divide.	Onsite only	2006 sound col
	MOON DOGS [13885] Add to my films Anarchic and funny coming-of-age film that follows two teenage stepbrothers on a road trip across Scotland and the enigmatic girl who comes between them.		2016 sound col
	MOUNTAIN PEOPLE [7853] Add to my films The film presents the workers of the Nevis range, a ski development in the North West Highlands of Scotland. The film gives an insight into their lifestyle and reveals the impact of Anoch Mor’s sub arctic climate on their outlook and philosophy towards life.		2002 sound col
	MOUTH OF HELL [13877] Add to my films Mouth of Hell, the short tells the story of Anant, an 8 year old boy who scrapes a living picking coal and selling it at the local markets to try and feed himself and his sick mother. Life changing events unfold as Anant stumbles unexpectedly upon a wallet containing 5000 rupees.		2015 sound col
	MOVING ON BETWEEN THE LINES A WHEEL OF LIFE [7898] Add to my films 25 records encompassing different characteristics: Pleasure, Pain, Anger. The film is based loosely on a wheel of life and escaping it. the relationship of sound and image is explored using sounds from the original record.' Various artwork in the circular shape of spinning musical records to musical accompaniment.		2002 sound col
	MR GRIMBY'S VIDEO DIARY [7897] Add to my films The video diary of Grimby and Marion, two unemployed animation puppets trying to work their way back into the limelight. The question is - does the industry need them?' Wallace & Gromit style character animation.		2002 sound col
	MULTI STORY [7638] Add to my films On the edge of Dundee a 17 story tower block awaits demolition. We undertake a journey exploring the space, drifting through deserted corridors and rooms, and exploring the memories of the multistorey's former residents.		2005 sound col
	MUSIC IN MY HEAD [8165] Add to my films A music video by the band Whiteroom.		2000 sound bw
	MY BROTHER THE ARK RAIDER [13895] Add to my films Scotsman Donald Mackenzie was hunting for the remains of Noah's ark on Mount Ararat in Turkey when he vanished. His family has heard nothing since and several searches by Turkish authorities have failed to find any trace of him. His younger brother Derick, a widowed father of five, travels from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, across Europe to Dogubayazit, a Kurdish town at the foot of Mount Ararat. The film follows Derick on his journey as he meets many of those who knew his brother who have their own ideas about what might have happened to him.	Onsite only	2013 sound col
	MY DAUGHTER'S FACE [7078] Add to my films An urban tragedy about a mother and daughter relationship destroyed by drugs. A contemplation on grief and loss.		1999 sound col
	MY GIRLFRIEND IS A WIZARD [8169] Add to my films A short comedy piece highlighting the pitfalls of having a wizard as a girlfriend.		2000 sound col
	MY MOTHER'S DAUGHTER [8056] Add to my films A convert to Islam and her Christian mother explore how they are still struggling to come to terms with the impact on their relationship. [synopsis from "New Films, New Talent: Best of Scottish Shorts 2007]	Onsite only	2007 sound col
	MY WEE AFRICAN VILLAGE [7635] Add to my films A fast-paced, funny and touching story following a young Muslim entrepreneur with ambition and attitude as he embarks on his venture to open Europe's first 'African Village' in Possil, Glasgow.		2005 sound col
	NAN [5965] Add to my films In the wake of their mother's death, two small boys are held captive to their father's grief. But when their mother's last wish heralds the arrival of their estranged grandmother, their fierce independence sets in motion a household power struggle that threatens to confront the ghosts of the past.		2000 sound col
	NARANCE [7678] Add to my films Manya has lost her family, her country and home and has become a refugee. Now, 20 years on, her childhood experiences of leaving remain as strong as ever. As an adult she cannot let go of her memories, fears and grief. Although safe physically, the horrors of her past can never be forgotten or forgiven.		1994 sound col
	NATIVE ROOTS [8231] Add to my films A dramatic animation illustrating the history of local native woodlands which emphasises the interconnectedness of man and the environment. Created by young people from Golspie High School and the Active Abriachan Group.		2002 sound col
	NEAR ROOM, the [3099] Add to my films Charlie Colquhoun is a journalist whose career is floundering. As a teenager, he fathered a daughter, Tommy, who was committed to foster care as an infant. Seventeen years later, Charlie, Tommy, and Charlie's old schoolmate Harris Hill (now a squeaky-clean solicitor) are reunited by a scandal that includes child pornography, blackmail and murder. [Synopsis taken from Internet Movie Database at http://uk.imbd.com. Last accessed September 2001].		1995 sound col
	NEILSTON SHOW, the [7521] Add to my films The mud-caked, sun-baked glory of the Agricultural Show - from the highs and lows of dressing Highland Cattle to the stresses of preparing a winning entry for the Women's Industrial Tent.		2003 sound col
	NEW FUNK THEORY [8275] Add to my films Music video produced for '4 Minute Wonders' scheme, featuring the track 'New Funk Theory' by H Foundation. Robots and DJs in the lab enjoy the music.		2003 sound col
	NEW TOWN KILLERS [8204] Add to my films Sean Macdonald lives in a small council flat with his sister on the outskirts of Edinburgh. With no job, no money and facing his sister working as drug mule to clear her debts, he agrees to play a game with two mysterious bankers who seem to know everything about him.		2008 sound col
	NEW YORK DIARY [7082] Add to my films A tale of love, obsession and illusion. The beautiful and frustrated Anna turns away from her successful and possessive fiancee James and returns to her drug habit and the streets. Unable to accept or understand her decision James searches the city every night, watching over her, convinced he can save her once more.		1998 sound col
	NIGHT LINES [7999] Add to my films A celebration of the country's performance poets, catching up on them as they perform in the streets and nightclubs of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Featuring the talents of David Alexander, Stephen Allan, Donna Campbell, Andy Fleming, Elspeth Murray and many others.	Onsite only	2002 sound col
	NIGHT MOVES [8280] Add to my films Music video produced for '4 Minute Wonders' scheme, featuring the track 'Night Moves' by Envoy. A man runs through an animated cityscape trying to escape his destiny.... because at the stroke of midnight he will turn into a werewolf!		2003 sound col
	NIGHT PEOPLE [8079] Add to my films A cold October night. Five stories, one city. Night People takes us on a journey across the city of Edinburgh, introducing a cast of characters for whom there will be no sleep.		2005 sound col
	NIGHT SCHOOL [8218] Add to my films A young couple break into an abandoned school. Strangers to one another they struggle to achieve the intimacy they desire.	Onsite only	2008 sound col