Ten Thousand Grains of Sand

Anna Cale
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  • TV & Film

Ten Thousand Grains of Sand is a podcast series discussing the films of Bill Forsyth. The series looks in-depth at all eight of his feature films, and his legacy as a filmmaker. The podcast accompanies a forthcoming illustrated book. Illustration by Eli Allison

Episodes

  1. 03/12/2021

    8. Gregory's Two Girls (1999)

    '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

  2. 03/09/2021 ·  Bonus

    Special Bonus Episode - Book Available for pre-order

    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

    Special Bonus Episode - Book Available for pre-order

  3. 03/05/2021

    7. Being Human (1994)

    '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

  4. 02/26/2021

    6. Breaking In (1989)

    '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

  5. 02/19/2021

    5. Housekeeping (1987)

    '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

  6. 02/12/2021

    4. Comfort and Joy (1984)

    '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

  7. 02/05/2021

    3. Local Hero (1983)

    'It exceeds expectations...and then subverts them'. On this episode, Anna is joined by radio presenter and writer Tim Griffiths to talk about Local Hero, Bill Forsyth's critically acclaimed third film from 1983. The gentle, magical comedy follows hot-shot American oil company executive ‘Mac’ MacIntyre as he's sent to a remote Scottish fishing village to negotiate a deal with the locals to buy it and build an oil refinery. But things don't quite go to plan. Join Anna and Tim as they discuss the enduring, universal appeal of the film, the way it connects people (mainly to their dads) and how they've both used it as a compatibility test for potential romantic partners. You can find Tim on Twitter - @TimGradio For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @BillForsythPod

  8. 01/29/2021

    2. Gregory's Girl (1980)

    'It captures the awkwardness of youth so well…it makes you feel like you’re invincible.’ On this episode, Anna is joined by film academic Lewis Kellett to talk about Gregory’s Girl, Bill Forsyth's much loved second feature film from 1980. The charming romantic comedy follows Cumbernauld high school student Gregory, as he tries to win the heart of Dorothy, the new star of the school football team and the girl of his dreams. Lewis hadn’t seen the film before, and Anna just can’t stop talking about it. Join them as they discuss the awkwardness of adolescent first love, dating in a small northern town, how the film laid the foundations for future youth culture on screen, and the power of reminiscence and nostalgia. You can find Lewis’s own film podcast here: www.mrsatthemovies.podbean.com  For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @BillForsythPod

  9. 01/22/2021

    1. That Sinking Feeling (1979)

    'It looks exactly like it cost that much to make, but that's part of its charm' On this episode, Anna is joined by screenwriter Chris Watt to talk about That Sinking Feeling, Bill Forsyth's record breakingly low budget debut feature from 1979. The crime caper set in the 'fictitious town of Glasgow' is a charming, whimsical treat, once described by one of its stars Robert Buchanan as 'Typically Glaswegian, more so than Taggart.' Join Anna and Chris as they discuss the perils of independent film funding, dubious 70s hairstyles, disappointing voice dubbing and the appeal of cornflakes. You can find links to Chris's work at https://thechriswatt.wordpress.com/ and purchase his novel Peer Pressure here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chris-Watt/e/B07JRDS939%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share For more about the Ten Thousand Grains of Sand project go to www.tenthousandgrains.com Find us Twitter and Instagram: @BillForsythPod

  10. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Series Preview

    Ten Thousand Grains of Sand is a new podcast dedicated to celebrating the films of Bill Forsyth. In this mini preview episode, host Anna Cale talks about the inspiration for the podcast and what listeners can expect from the series.

Trailer

About

Ten Thousand Grains of Sand is a podcast series discussing the films of Bill Forsyth. The series looks in-depth at all eight of his feature films, and his legacy as a filmmaker. The podcast accompanies a forthcoming illustrated book. Illustration by Eli Allison

Information

  • Creator
    Anna Cale
  • Years Active
    2021
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anna Cale