Mark Kermode Front list with Brian Cox EIBF 2025

Film critic Mark Kermode gave a Front List talk with renowned Scots actor Brian Cox, and Scots actors Kate Dickie and Michelle Gomez.

 

Brian Cox spoke of his background; he is 88% Irish, 12% Burnt island Scottish. He was in both Braveheart and Rob Roy films – he said that Braveheart was a lie and the film didn’t make sense and they didn’t have kilts then. Wheras Rob Roy was a really well written script and had a wonderful director. 

 

They discussed that all drama is politicised when you have a voice its important to speak up. Kate spoke of all the Palestine authors and shows at the festival (Put your soul in your hands and walk). She spoke of having to pretend that she lived in London to get work.

Mark Kermode

Kermode asked about their Scots Identity

Kate spoke: “I love England as a neighbour, but if you’re roof is leaking, you don’t ask your neighbour to fix it.” 

 

Brian: The boomers have dropped the ball and now we have to fight again. The horror of Gaza, Ukraine and Trump – we all have to speak up. There are good guys in America but they are not good with women.

 

We need good people: honest, true and good I don’t like Starmer. He doesn’t believe in anything, he’s closed everything down. Scots are authentic but have an inner depression. Scots are not boastful about what we’ve contributed. We should boast more for our self confidence. Scots are popular in America with many having Scots heritage. And by the way, Scotch is the correct term, and was used in Burns day!  As is used by Scotch whisky too.

 

His new film Glenrothan will debut at Toronto film festival  He said with directing you are a cog in the wheel, for everyone contributing. He spoke of troubled times at Edinburgh film festival, with tickets not selling.

 

Kate Dickie

Brian Cox's new film is a directorial feature debut called Glenrothan, a Scottish family whisky drama where he also stars opposite Alan Cumming. Described as a "love letter to Scotland," the film features Cox and Cumming as estranged brothers who reunite to save their family's distillery. The film was shot in Scotland and is expected to have its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025.

Brian Cox

Brian Cox and Michelle Gomez

Brian Cox at Edinburgh book festival 2022

“Its time to be free!”

Cox said that he’s an optimist!

Succession actor Brian cox chatted with Scotland’s First Minster Nicola Sturgeon about his acting career and of his hopes for Scotland’s future independence And his new book The Rabbit in the Hat. .

He got his first thoughts of performing as a young boy, when he sang at a new year party at home and singing on a small stage. Later Cox went down to the London theatre stage, and was a character actor in film.

 

He said young actors can now stay here to be successful, There’s also been the Scottish film successes. His major part in the hit series Succession role, Logan Roy, has a King Lear element, and is not over written. With a wonderful cast and script. Theatre is my church, retain your pass, cathartic. Telling stories and walking with ghosts  and can be cathartic. 

Cox said that after the great war 1945 Scotland was very much north Britain – there were identity battles of the 70s and 80s. We must be true to ourselves – subdued in who were as second class citizen and to discover what we are culturally.

 

He said there is not enough confidence here in Scotland, its not about personalities, but about country and democracy.   Scotland is a place for social democracy. We’ve suffered old style propaganda and our own voice being stifled. He was the voice of  Labour 1996, but became disillusioned and he didn’t  like Blair and the Iraq war and thought it was all wrong

 

Cox will be here for our Campaign for Scotland’s independence Referendum 2023 – we can do better! 

He said its not about personalities but about country and democracy. Time to be free!

 

To set up Scotland’s very own media

 

worldwide success of Outlander

Scottish Media and Broadcasting. To set up Scotland’s very own media! Yes

 

When the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC, was set up 1933, its strange that Scotland, an ancient nation begun 9th century, did not insist on its own media – when Scotland has always kept its church, Scots law, education and with its four ancient universities. 

Its been a cultural disaster for Scotland writes Paul Scott Henderson in his book on the Scottish Enlightenment. 

 

After recommendations by the Advisory Council for Arts Scotland 1981, initiated by the Saltire Society - some arts councils have set up here – The Scottish Arts Council (Creative Scotland), National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, (nearly closed), 

 

Nearly all Scottish arts councils have been run by English directors. Andrew Dixon, who ran the National galleries wanted to remove all Scottish art as he believed it was inferior and close the Scottish National Portrait gallery – but there was such an outcry and protest in Edinburgh, instead the historic building in Queen street was refurbished and reopened in 2014.

 

Henderson writes, “The problem is that many Scots children go through their entire time at school and learn nothing of their own Scottish culture, history or arts. This is shocking as most countries teach their national culture. Instead Scots learn about English culture which teaches them to feel second rate and inferior.” 

 

I have my own personal experience.

When I lived in the States, I had no idea I should be proud to be Scots – of the Scottish rich heritage – (even though I studied higher history)! I know Scots had made a few inventions. I knew of Robert the Bruc but I had no idea of the Scottish enlightenment. 

Brian Cox in Succession

James McAvoy

“Scotland’s government is responsible for Scotland’s culture, but has to ignore the most influential means of cultural expression. All the small, newly independent, nations of Europe have their own broadcasting and even the state of Catalonia has its own four tv channels.”

 

Are changes afoot 2022 – with the recent global successes of the series Outlander and at Cumbernauld studios; filming Batman Glasgow; Brian Cox in Succession; and several other well known Scots actors. And with Sam Heughan portraying Jamie Frazer a proud and principled Highlander.  #¥esScots

 

  

Jamie Frazer and Claire