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More Film Crews On The Way?

There's increasing interest in Shetland as a place to make films and television drama.

As we've previously reported, this year has seen an episode of a Norwegian series filmed in and around Lerwick; it's also looking likely that the crime novels of Ann Cleeves will come to the screen before long. Now, another film production company, Aberdeen-based b4 films, has announced plans to make a feature film on the island of Fetlar, in the north-east of the Shetland archipelago. The film tells the story of how the people of a small island, realising that it's in decline, set about attracting new blood. The other ingredients of the tale are said to be a love story and tensions over a golf course that a very wealthy American wants to build. The script is to be written by Ron McMillan, whose recent book, ‘Between Weathers', is an account of his travels in Shetland. Hopes are high that funding for the project will be found and that the film may be screened at the opening of ‘Mareel', Shetland's new cinema and music venue, in 2011. The first reactions from the people of Fetlar have been positive.

It's appropriate that the film should be set in Fetlar, because the island has, in the past, made efforts to attract new settlers. Nor is it the only Shetland island to have done so. In the mid-1970s, the smaller island of Papa Stour, off Shetland's north-west coast, increased its population substantially after the local postmaster advertised for people looking for a new way of life. Several of those who moved north then are still living either on the island or elsewhere in Shetland.

It's hoped that other film projects may be attracted to Shetland in the future, for the islands have many extraordinary stories to tell.

Published: 01/12/2009

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