By Monique
Photo credit: 1745film.com
It’s often said that slavery didn’t exist on the British Isles. But short film 1745 revisits a forgotten moment in 18th century Scotland that does, indeed, involve the practice of slavery.
The film, directed by Gordon Napier, follows two sisters (played by real life sisters Morayo and Moyo Akandé) who are escaping their Scottish master (Clive Russell, Outlander, Game of Thrones). To quote the film’s site:
“1745 highlights a forgotten part of Scotland’s history: while Scotland was fighting for its national freedom in that fateful year, its economy was in large part founded on the booming colonial slave trade. While the majority of slavery happened elsewhere – off-stage, across the Atlantic – there were African slaves here, kept as trophies and pets in the houses of their rich merchant masters. “1745” was inspired by advertisements that writer, Morayo Akandé, discovered for runaway slaves, placed in Scottish newspapers of the time.”
The teaser trailer shows how atmospheric and beautiful the film is, despite its heavy subject matter.
1745 – Official Trailer (2017) from Gordon J. Napier on Vimeo.
1745 will have its U.S. debut at this April at the Cleveland International Film Festival. You can follow 1745 on its site as well as on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Julian 