20 years on from the seminal film project that brought the people of Barrow together in a celebrated community arts collaboration, producer Darren Mapletoft and writer-director Ian D Fleming bring a fully restored and remastered cut of THE GATHERERS back to The Forum for a FREE screening, with Q&A, on Friday Sept 7th 2018.
Developed from a 1997 Northern Stage community project, THE GATHERERS’ poignant story idea came from local man Dave Coward and was made into a short film. The script was further developed, a new script went into production and was one of the first films to receive a National Lottery grant. The 1998 production starred local Barrow actors John Hall and Andy Fullard with Geordie actress Paula Wright, supported by an able cast of Barrow actors.
Ian and Darren: “The Gatherers was a seminal moment in all our lives … we look forward to bringing everyone back together – the local cast, crew and all our collaborators to celebrate this 20th anniversary.”
In stark contrast to the Barrow of today, THE GATHERERS captured the town at a time when the industrial future looked bleak.
Ian – “It will be really interesting to return and see the new prosperity in Barrow … the affirmation of the hope we all had back then. Barrow is a special place … special people. An inspirational place.”
Set in Barrow and Walney Island, THE GATHERERS won industry praise and accolades, with Royal Television Society Award nominations, all climaxing in screenings at the Edinburgh Film Festival, on networked TV and a double spread feature in Total Film magazine.
