Ten Thousand Grains of Sand Anna Cale

'A bit like the embarrassing cousin nobody wants at a family wedding'

In this episode, Anna faces her fears and finally watches Gregory's Two Girls, Bill Forsyth's last film and the follow up to the much-loved Gregory's Girl. Joining her to talk about it is film podcaster Rich Nelson. 

The film revisits Gregory Underwood (John Gordon Sinclair), now in his mid 30s, still living in Cumbernauld and working as an English teacher in his old school. With the help of two of his pupils, Gregory uncovers some shady dealings by a local businessman.

Anna and Rich discuss negative expectations caused by unfair comparisons, the importance of moving on in life, and how the late 90s weren't that different from the mid 70s in British cinema.

Rich's podcast, Betamax Video Club can be found on Twitter: @BetamaxPod and on all good podcast platforms

For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BillForsythPod

In this special bonus edition of the show Anna is joined by Illustrator Eli Allison to discuss the development of the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand artwork, featuring in the forthcoming book to be published in May 2021.

The book and artwork are now available to pre-order, via the show website - tenthousandgrains.com/shop

follow us on Twitter and Instagram - @billforsythpod

'A film to be discovered, and reconsidered'

On this episode, Anna is joined by writer Andy Murray to discuss Being Human, Bill Forsyth's often maligned and misunderstood seventh film starring Robin Williams as Hector, a single human soul in five reincarnations through history, searching for connection.

Anna and Andy discuss the importance of family and home, studio interference, and how Forsyth makes it really hard for himself with this ambitious but flawed film which tackles the universality of the human condition. Andy also unearths an entire missing Hector (a Hector too far?)

The original script mentioned in the podcast was found by Andy here (we can't vouch for its provenance) https://subcin.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/being-human-robin-williams-screenplay/

Andy can be found on Twitter: @MrGeetsRomo

For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BillForsythPod

'A gentle crime caper without consequences'

On this episode, Anna is joined by 'the luckiest man in the world' - her husband Alan - to discuss Breaking In, Bill Forsyth's often overlooked sixth film (and the only one he didn't write the screenplay for).

Scripted by indie writer and director John Sayles, but still with the warmth and feel of a fully-formed Forsyth film, the plot centres on veteran safe-cracker Ernie Mullins (Burt Reynolds) who encounters rookie criminal Mike (Casey Siemaszko) and takes him under his wing.

Anna and Alan discuss Bill Forsyth films as a rites of passage towards true love, small town America in the late 1980s, gentleman thieves, and unconventional companionship.

For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BillForsythPod

'A film that slowly absorbs you, and sinks into your soul'.

On this episode, Anna introduces film journalist and podcaster Emily Murray to the work of Bill Forsyth for the first time, as they discuss Housekeeping, his fifth film (and first outside Scotland).

Based on the novel by Marilynne Robinson, the film centres on two sisters growing up in rural Idaho during the 1950s, who fall into the care of their eccentric Aunt Sylvie, played by Christine Lahti.

Anna and Emily discuss female family dynamics, the role of nature in our lives, and the importance of embracing your difference and individuality.

You can find Emily on Twitter - @EmilyVMurray and links to her podcasts at @NolanMeNolanYou and @FincherTakesIt

For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BillForsythPod

'Kind of like the Godfather, but with ice-cream'

On this episode, Anna is joined by film writer and podcaster Leslie Byron Pitt to talk about Comfort and Joy, Bill Forsyth's fourth film from 1984.

The charmingly melancholic comedy stars Bill Paterson as Glasgow radio DJ Alan 'Dickie' Bird, whose life is turned upside down one Christmas and he finds himself searching for meaning amongst the discarded baubles.

Join Anna and Leslie as they discuss the importance of flawed characters, how far Bill Forsyth will go for the sake of a joke, the importance of friendship-teasing, and the similarities between local radio DJs and shopping channel presenters.

You can find Leslie on Twitter - @Afrofilmviewer and follow his film blog at http://www.afrofilmviewer.com/

For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @BillForsythPod