The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Angus shoot for Chaplin film duo
Historians to document life of town’s fisherfolk
They have previously produced documentaries about silent-era superstar Charlie Chaplin, US president Donald Trump and graffiti artist Banksy.
But now a pair of historians and lecturers based at Coventry University will be in Arbroath to shoot their latest film about the town’s maritime history.
The documentary will focus on the town’s fisherfolk and their history, with the ultimate aim of getting the film released via online streaming services.
Dr Darren R. Reid and Brett Sanders, both serving as directors and writers, will be joined by the university’s history department in Arbroath when filming gets under way in the town next month.
The crowdfunding campaign to support the project has been backed by the local community alongside contributions from people as far afield as the US and Bulgaria.
Dr Reid, who studied history at Dundee University, said: “As a native of Arbroath and a professional historian, I am really interested in helping the town connect to its rich past, in particular the different cultures that emerged in the town as its relationship to the sea changed over time.
“To that end I have been able to mobilise all of my fellow historians at Coventry University and we will all be travelling to Arbroath next month to begin shooting our film.
“Ultimately we aim to release the film via online streaming services such as Amazon Prime – and we will donate it the Signal Tower Museum, for them to use as they see fit.”
Dr Reid said if they can reach their next crowdfunding target they will be shooting historical re-enactments including the arrival of smugglers to the town in the 18th Century.
Dr Reid and Mr Sanders feature length documentary, Looking for Charlie – about Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and the suicidal clowns who inspired them – will be released later this year.
The film is the story of Marceline Orbes and Francis ‘Slivers’ Oakley, a pair of once-legendary Edwardian comedians who entertained millions, inspired Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, but who died in obscurity by their own hands.