A new film will tell the story of a Scottish direct action climate group from the inside, seeking to change attitudes to controversial protest tactics.
The group This Is Rigged are known for stunts such as spraying red paint on the Scottish Parliament, damaging a display case for William Wallace's sword, and staging a sit-in at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
A feature documentary, Don't Be Alarmed, is in post-production and seeking crowdfunding to complete, which will be matched by Creative Scotland.
It will tell the story of the activists as they fight against climate change and the cost of living crisis.
Read More:
- Just Stop Oil: Glasgow activist explains why direct action is needed
- This is Rigged food price protesters douse Scott Monument in soup
- Holyrood to review security after protesters derail FMQs
The film was directed by Christopher McGill, who died earlier this year after a long battle with cancer.
Producer Franziska Bloder Aguayo tells The Herald: "Chris met the group and was looking for a new story.
“He’d come off of making several short films all based around themes of people on the fringes of society, especially activists.
“So he was looking for something that would make sense within that but he also wanted something that was very Scottish.
“He felt the story of this group was very much in line with what he wanted to do, when I was introduced to the film most of it was already shot and what drove me to join the project is I’m very socially motivated, just like Chris.
"I think some or most of them thought he was undercover police at the start!
“I heard from them later that they were saying among themselves, ‘he’s quite tall, he’s got the right build, it would all make sense’.
“That was definitely the case for a good while but Chris just kept going back and chatting to them, showing that he was genuinely interested in them as people and what they were doing.
“It took a while for them to come round but they did come to trust him, and the ones we’re still in regular contact with are all very excited for the film to come out.”
By its very nature the film will be controversial, with opinions split on the kind of direct action tactics employed by groups like This Is Rigged, Just Stop Oil and others.
Indeed, it arrives in a climate where Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terror group for engaging in direct action.
Ms Bloder Aguayo says: "We’ve approached art institutions and producers for advice or funding too, and there’s interest but also wariness because direct action groups are considered controversial.
"It will be a very intimate story about a young group of Scots fighting for a better future and give the audience an insight into what drives them to do what they do.
“They did a lot of stuff which is very divisive, but with all their actions there’s an underlying reason and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to that.
“It’ll hopefully be an insight into a direct action group they haven’t seen before and help people understand why they do that they do.
“We have this image in our minds of what activists are: they’re extreme, they like to push boundaries.
“But there’s a reason they’re doing what they’re doing and I think it’s always worth listening to people when they’re being loud about something, and this film will hopefully let people get to know them.
“It’ll be a very intimate story about friendship, growing up, climate anxiety and all that stuff.”
Mr McGill, the director lost his battle with cancer on July 4 of this year and Don't Be Alarmed will be his posthumous debut feature film.
Ms Bloder Aguayo says: "He had been ill through the entire making of the film so there was already a lot of drive and I think part of it was fuelled by the fact he was ill and we didn’t know what the future was going to bring, but also because we believed so strongly in this film, this story and the value of it.
“Him passing away hasn’t changed that, but it has added this extra level of grief and shock, and I’m just trying to channel that into even more motivation, even if we were already so, so driven.
“But I feel now that this is Chris’ legacy, the film he’s left behind for us to finish.
“We want Chris to be recognised for his work, his creativity and what a brilliant person he was.”
The crowdfunder is available here.
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