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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
	WHIRLPOOL, the [7599] Add to my films Hugh, 17 years old, looks after his alcoholic mother. He's the adult, she's the child. She frequently disappears. The police are constantly at the door and the neighbours are always put out. This time she ends up in Carlisle. What should he do? Let her face up to her responsibilities or feed the addict by taking her back. Set over 24 hours, Hugh finally confronts his mother on a deserted street about the Little God and the whirlpool that binds them.		1996 sound col
	WHO'S MY FAVOURITE GIRL? [7862] Add to my films Entertaining tale of two boys and the onset of puberty set in a small Scottish town in the mid-1980s.	Onsite only	1999 sound col
	WHY AREN'T YOU DEAD YET?: A Short Film about Castlemilk Pensioners Action Centre [8012] Add to my films An exploration of the work of the Castlemilk Pensioners Action Centre showing that there is life after 60, and that new opportunities, new social activities, and friends are there for everyone - as well as help and advice for the elderly in the community to give them a political and social voice.		1993 sound col
	WIFE, the [13936] Add to my films Over their forty year marriage, Joan Castleman has sacrificed her own literary ambitions to support her husband Joe’s literary career. When Joe receives the Nobel Prize for Literature, Joan reflects on their marriage and the compromises she has made.		2018 sound col
	WILBUR WANTS TO KILL HIMSELF [6819] Add to my films The chronically suicidal Wilbur and his brother Harbour inherit a second-hand book shop in Glasgow when their father dies. Wilbur survives yet another suicide attempt and goes to hospital, where he meets Horst, a cynical psychologist and empathic head nurse, Moira. Like Harbour, they believe that Wilbur needs a girlfriend, but even though women fall for Wilbur all the time, they cannot get close to him. In fact, it is Harbour who falls in love with a shy and beautiful single mother, Alice. Soon Alice and her younger daughter move into the bookshop and little by little the four of them become inseparable. Wilbur starts regaining his lust for life and Alice starts to come out of her shell. Harbour has never been happier but he carries a deep secret that threatens to surface.		2002 sound col
	WILD CHILLIES [8279] Add to my films Music video produced for '4 Minute Wonders' scheme, featuring the track 'Wild Chillies' by Deadly Avenger. A nightwatchman finds a mysterious woman in the swimming pool.... but is it all a dream?		2003 sound col
	WIND FALL [8145] Add to my films Windfall is a short film, which has an essence that is emotive, spiritual and nostalgic. The film aims to create a narrative that is more implicit than explicit, thus on the surface there is no obvious story, no dialogue or clear narrative to dictate the film.		2002 sound bwcol
	WINNING STREAK [7633] Add to my films Jamie develops a sure-fire way of picking winning horses at the races but his happy family is turned upside down when his newly wealthy parents decide to upgrade their lives. Successfully sabotaging his system is his only chance to restore normality.	Onsite only	2005 sound col
	WINTER'S LAST DANCE [8224] Add to my films An entertaining woodland animation inspired by the woodlands of Arran produced by young people from the Arran High School Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.		2002 sound col
	WISE GUYS [7874] Add to my films William always wanted to be a gangster. He turns his paper round into a racket and soon he’s living like a made guy. Just like in the mob movies he loves, things quickly get out of control...	Onsite only	2003 sound col
	WISH [7901] Add to my films A short, humorous tale about two young girls realizing the difference between daydreaming and reality.		2002 sound col
	WISH [8038] Add to my films An unusual love story between a young Glaswegian male carer and an elderly Japanese lady. From their mundane council estate lives blossoms an inspirational exchange of experience, culture and romance, crossing the boundaries of time, place, generations and imaginations.		2001 sound col
	WITCHES, the [7515] Add to my films In 1590 the reigning monarch, King James the VI of Scotland, was in danger of being toppled from his throne by the blight of witchcraft. In North Berwick, three fishwives, Margaret, Ina and Sandra, have good reason to believe that they might be targeted in the King's witch hunt and set about devising a plan to save themselves from the fearful witch-dooking apparatus. [synopsis from Red Kite Animation website at http://www.redkite-animation.com, last accessed 15/7/2008]		2002 sound col
	WITHOUT THE AND.... [8023] Add to my films An exploration of silence, love and loss.		1994 sound col
	WOMEN IN BLACK [7941] Add to my films Women in Black keep vigil for peace all over the world. In this film, three Edinburgh women explain why they join other women on Princes Street every Saturday to bear silent witness against the futility of war.	Onsite only	2004 sound col
	WOOLLY'S MAGICAL DAY [3468] 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	1997 sound col
	X IN SCOTLAND [7978] Add to my films The influence and importance of Malcolm X to today's African and Asian Scots. Issue of race within Scotland.	Onsite only	1993 sound col
	XTREME LUGGAGING [8050] Add to my films A glimpse of the rock’n’roll world of riding luggage. Ritchie ‘the badger’ Miller takes on his hairdressing nemesis ‘The Cobra’ in the grandmother of all downhill races.	Onsite only	2007 sound col
	YASMIN [6846] Add to my films This timely drama tells the story of a British Muslim woman who finds herself caught up in a post-September 11 nightmare, when her Pakistani-born husband is falsely imprisoned as a terrorist suspect. Addressing such universal themes as racial prejudice and the conflicts between national and religious identities, Yasmin is also shot through with a peculiarly Northern wit – alert to the many ironies which befall those who consider themselves British, Asian and Muslim.		2004 sound col
	YOUNG ADAM [6395] Add to my films Joe, a rootless young drifter, finds work on a barge travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh, owned by Les and his wife Ella. One afternoon they discover the corpse of a young woman floating in the canal and gradually Joe's past relationship with the dead woman emerges. Meanwhile an unspoken attraction develops between Joe and Ella and claustrophobic tensions develop between the three occupants of the cramped space in the barge.		2003 sound col
	YOU'RE MY FAVOURITE MUSIC [8277] Add to my films Music video produced for '4 Minute Wonders' scheme, featuring the track 'You're My Favourite Music' by Niko. Summer street scenes, Glasgow 2003.		2003 sound col
	YOU'VE BEEN TRUMPED TOO [13942] Add to my films You’ve Been Trumped Too explores the confrontation between 92-year-old Scottish woman Molly Forbes and her family and the billionaire, Donald Trump as he attempts to become the most powerful man in the world.		2016 sound col