Covid-19 Fails to Thwart Unique UK Theatrical Release of Artist Feature Film As EYE OF THE STORM Wins Endorsement From RNIB
Eye of the Storm wins endorsement from RNIB and includes accessible soundtrack for lockdown viewers with impaired vision
Eye Of The Storm - a feature documentary film about the late great British landscape painter James Morrison is to receive an innovative UK wide theatrical release despite cinemas remaining closed.
For three decades, Morrison produced stunning Scottish landscapes, prized in collections around the world. The Duke of Edinburgh and JK Rowling are among those who own his works.
Eye of the Storm follows the last two years of the artist’s life as he battles fading eyesight while aiming to create one final landscape and will receive its World Premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival on 28 February. A UK wide theatrical release immediately follows from Friday 5 March ahead of a broadcast of the film on the BBC Scotland Channel this spring. A trailer for the film can be seen here.
However, with many cinemas remaining closed due to lockdown restrictions, thanks to National Lottery funding from Screen Scotland, distributor Cosmic Cat has teamed up with art galleries and independent movie theatres to ensure the film can be seen widely through a unique online experience.
After watching the film, audiences will also be able to “attend” an interactive online “exhibition” of Morrison’s work, created in conjunction with the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh. In addition, Scottish company Screen Language has created a special alternative audio experience for those with sight impairment, with guidance from national sight loss charity RNIB.
Commissioned by BBC Scotland and made with added support from Screen Scotland, the filmmakers were able to finish Eye of the Storm during lockdown as many aspects of Morrison’s life – including his journeys to the High Arctic – were captured by Scottish animator Catriona Black, including a dramatic encounter with a polar bear.
Director Anthony Baxter said, “Thanks to a descriptive audio track, Eye of the Storm can now also be enjoyed by people with sight impairment, who are confined to their homes due to Covid-19. It’s a fitting tribute to the incredible work James Morrison produced over a lifetime of painting.”
James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland said, "One especially touching and poignant message from this beautifully made film, is that anyone can experience sight loss, even an artist like James who depends so much on his vision."
#EyeOfTheStorm
Eye of the Storm will be available to viewers through the websites of the following cinemas and art galleries from Friday 5 March with more being added this week:
Virtual Cinemas:
Arthouse, Crouch End, London
Barbican, London
Birmingham Art Gallery
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham
DCA, Dundee
Depot Cinema, Lewes
HOME, Manchester
Kinokulture, Owestry
Plymouth Arts Cinema
Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
Showroom, Sheffield
QFT, Belfast
Quad, Derby
About Montrose Pictures
Montrose Pictures is an award-winning film and television production company based in Montrose, Angus, making content for the BBC, international broadcasters, Amazon, Netflix, Apple & others. Feature documentaries include FLINT (2020), You’ve Been Trumped Too (2016), A Dangerous Game (2014) and You’ve Been Trumped (2011).
About Glasgow Film Festival
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) is one of the leading film festivals in the UK and run by Glasgow Film, a charity which also runs Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT). GFF is made possible by support from Screen Scotland, the BFI, awarding funds from The National Lottery, Glasgow Life and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.
The 17th annual festival will run online from 24 February to 7 March 2021
About Cosmic Cat
Cosmic Cat is a theatrical film distributor based in Glasgow, that specialises in dramas and documentaries that have compelling social impact potential. Previous titles include FLINT (2020). EMINENT MONSTERS: A MANUAL FOR MODERN TORTURE (2020) and BIFA nominated and BAFTA Scotland winner for Best Feature Film NAE PASARAN! (2018). Cosmic Cat is also is a regular collaborator with Ken Loach's Sixteen Films having run impact campaigns for I,DANIEL BLAKE (2016) and SORRY WE MISSED YOU (2019).
About Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. With funding from Scottish Government and the National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About The Scottish Gallery
The Scottish Gallery represented James Morrison, since his first exhibition in 1959. His most recent exhibition, From Angus to the Arctic in January 2020, was his twenty-fifth solo show. The Scottish Gallery will be hosting a tribute in September 2021 called Studio Insights in advance of his Memorial Exhibition in June 2022. A virtual viewing room is now available to view.
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