Wigtown Book Festival

[winterbadger]

For all my friends in the UK (or who might be in the UK) who like books or pagan things or dubiously classic cinema. :-)

One of the principal foci of this spring's Wigtown Book Festivalis the film 'The Wicker Man'! They're showing the film itself, showing a docco on the making of it, having a book discussion on the history of the film, unveiling the author/director's second novel (!), and burning a wicker man! :-)

Comments

[dativesingular.livejournal.com]

Anthony's been banging on about how I *need* to see that movie for ages. Though I guess I can't be surprised, seeing as how he's from a tiny island named after a sea god. :)

[winterbadger]

OK, I'll bite: which sea god? which island? :-)

I had a housemate many years ago who was *obssessed* with the movie. My dad is similarly obssessed with Findhorn; I've tried to keep from him the fact that, because of this movie, thousands of people think Findhiorn is really about human sacrifice instead of New Age organic gardening.

[dativesingular.livejournal.com]

Isn't it obvious from the icon? ;) (Yes, that IS a real candy, and quite good at that).

Haha, awesome. Man has its own adorable quirks: you can't say the word "rat" because it's considered bad luck, most people call them "r-a-t"s or "longtails." You have to say hi to the fairies after you drive over the Fairy Bridge, or else they'll make your car break down (or worse)!

[winterbadger]

Isn't it obvious from the icon?
Oh, sorry! me = dim!

You have to say hi to the fairies after you drive over the Fairy Bridge, or else they'll make your car break down (or worse)!

One of my favourite scenes in "Hear My Song", when the two Dublin talent scouts are hunting through the west of Ireland for a small town and lose their way, and one of them says to the other,

Fintan: Come on, take your jacket off and turn it inside out--it's the only way! The fairies have got us lost!
Micky: *disbelievingly* The fairies?
Fintan: Aye, they're right buggers!

(Of course, after they turn their jackets inside out, the rain lets up and they find the village...)

Also source of another great exchange:

Micky: You're drivin' like a madman.
Fintan: You think this is bad? You should see me when I'm on me own!
Micky: Sure I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

[dativesingular.livejournal.com]

Heh, I might just have to see that. But speaking of old Irish men, if you've ever seen Waking Ned Devine, that was filmed on the IOM. I've been to the little village where most of the action takes place (Anthony and I hid in the church to hide from a sudden thunderstorm!). Oh, and if you *DO* say "rat", you need to whistle and turn around three times. Anthony's mother was completely serious about it. :)

[winterbadger]

I *loved* WND! Of course, it also has James Nesbitt in it, who is up there on my list of British men I totally adore (with John Hannah and Simon Callow). *And* Ian Bannen, who was a also wonderful actor.

[pusscat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and how pissed off am I that I am going to be working and can't stay at my parents' nearby cottage that weekend?!

[winterbadger]

Boo! That *does* suck. :-(