War inspires debut novel by former soldier Angus
Perth Film Society (PFS) will welcome in the new year with a quirky Irish comedy ... writes Melanie Bonn.
New for 2016, ‘Sing Street’ is about Conor, a boy growing up in Dublin in the 1980s who starts a band.
He’s hoping the musical venture will get him away from the strains of a new inner-city school, family life and – most importantly – impress a mysterious girl.
John Carney wrote and directed the funny, feel-good musical comedy, which promises to blow away any postparty blues.
Sing Street is screened in the NorieMiller Studio in Perth Concert Hall on Thursday, January 12, from 7.45pm.
Film-goers are invited to come a little early and enjoy refreshments.
It’s certificate 12A and has a running time of 106 minutes.
All seven films showing in PFS’s latest season cost £6 at the door.
A season membership ticket costs £35.
The society offers discounts for seniors, what the society describes as “unwaged people” and students.
Any questions about the coming season of great films can be sent via email to perthfilmsoc@gmail.com A former soldier, and business man writes a striking, charming and page-turning novel about love in the ruins of First World War ... writes Melanie Bonn.
‘Ardnish Was Home’ is the debut novel by Angus MacDonald, who lives near Kinloch Rannoch.
In his youth, Angus served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, before building a financial publishing company that was sold in 2007.
Living now in Highland Perthshire, he currently has businesses in recycling, renewables and education, and leads the entrepreneur support charity Moidart Trust.
His wartime story is part historical truth, part romance.
It follows Donald Peter Gillies, a young piper who grew up in a remote community in the West Highlands, who signs up to join the famous Lovat Scouts.
He and his childhood friend are destined for the horrors of Gallipoli and the deprivation of the First World War.
After losing his eyesight in action, he encounters Louise, a welsh-born nurse with the Queen Alexandra Corps.
Lying wounded, far from Scotland, Donald’s mind turns to home and he recall to Louise the tales that have been passed down his family from generation to generation.
The story then follows the pair’s desperate escape bid through enemy territory.
“In around 2000 I started recalling the stories my father told me of the Highlands, with television, storytelling is a dying art,” explained Angus.
“In this book all the events and stories are true, other than the actual character of Donald Peter Gillies.
“Ardnish exists, and the events about Gallipoli are based on what was told to me. My grandfather would regale us with stories of his father, Colonel Willie who commanded the Lovat Scouts in Gallipoli and plays a key role in the plot.”
The book had a very successful launch event at the Watermill Bookshop in Aberfeldy this autumn and now to his delight, Angus’ first dabble with creative writing is already on its third print run and receiving great reviews. And better still, it’s to have a sequel.
Angus revealed: “In the next instalment the baby born to Donald and Louise grows up, and this leads to a whole new tale of how he goes on to join SOE, the intelligence operatives who played such a crucial role in WWII.” Sing Street, a film directed and written by John Carney, is being shown by Perth Film Society on January 12 ‘Ardnish Was Home’ published by Birlinn costs £8.99. Angus MacDonald from near Kinloch Rannoch