Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle
Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle is a 2007 Scottish Gaelic-language British film by first-time director, Simon Miller from a story by Simon Miller and Joanne Cockwell. It stars Patrick Morrison/Pàdruig Moireasdan and the Gaelic writer and poet Angus Peter Campbell/Aonghas Pàdraig Chaimbeul.
| Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Simon Miller |
| Produced by | Christopher Young |
| Screenplay by | Simon Miller Joanne Cockwell Aonghas MacNeacail Ian Finlay Macleod Iseabail T NicDhòmhnaill |
| Story by | Simon Miller Joanne Cockwell |
| Starring | Angus Peter Campbell, Pàdruig Moireasdan |
| Music by | Jim Sutherland |
| Cinematography | Ian Dodds |
| Edited by | Aonghas MacAoidh |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | Scottish Gaelic |
Filming began in April 2006 around the Inaccessible Pinnacle at the top of Sgurr Dearg in the Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and was completed in August 2006. The film screened at the Celtic Media Festival in March 2007,[1] and made its world premiere at the 61st Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2007.
The word seachd (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ʃaxk]) in the title means "seven".
Plot
When a young man, Angus, visits his dying grandfather in hospital he cannot hold back his boyhood quest for the truth - the truth behind the death of his parents and the truth behind his grandfather's ancient, incredible, fearful stories. Stories from the whole swathe of Gàidhealtachd history of poisoned lovers, bloody revenge, water-horses and Spanish gold. His grandfather hijacks Angus' life, for one last time leading him to one of Scotland's most treacherous mountains, the Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Isle of Skye, and an ancient truth he never expected to find.
BAFTA controversy
In the autumn of 2007 as the film prepared for its UK premiere in the Highlands, controversy arose as BAFTA refused to put forward both Seachd and the Welsh-language Calon Gaeth as candidates for Best Foreign Language Film Category at the 2008 Academy Awards. The ensuing controversy led to widespread coverage in the national and international press and Seachd's producer Christopher Young resigning his membership of BAFTA.[2]
Reception
The film was nominated for 3 BAFTAs[3] and Miller for the Michael Powell Award[4] and was warmly received with comparisons drawn to works such as Big Fish and The Princess Bride.[5]
Cast
- Angus Peter Campbell/Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul as Grandfather
- Patrick Morrison/Pàdruig Moireasdan as Aonghas (aged 9)
- Coll Macdonald/Colla Dòmhnallach as Aonghas (aged 20)
- Dolina MacLennan as Grandmother
- David Walker/Daibhidh Walker as Archie
- Winnie Brook Young as Màiri
- Chris Macdonald/Crìsdean Dòmhnallach as Donnchadh
- Annie Macleod/Annie NicLeòid as Akira Gunn
- Calum MacFhionghain as The Magician
- Scott Handy as Patrick Loch
- Toby Robertson as The Duke of Sutherland
- Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir as Akira's father
- Iain Macrae as Macdonald/An Dòmhnallach
- Vidal Sancho as The Spaniard
- Isabel NicRath as Sìleas
- Meg Bateman as Sìleas' mother
- Charles Quinnell/Tearlach Quinnell as Each Uisge/Water-horse
- Kathleen MacInnes/Kathleen NicAonghais as Catriona
- Eòghainn MacFhionghain as Calum
- Angus Macdonald/Aonghas MacDhòmhnaill as The Eldest Son/Am Mac Bu Shine
- Kathleen Macdonald/Kathleen NicDhòmhnaill as Ailsa Macleod/Eilis NicLeòid
- Iain "Seonachan" MacLeòid as Alec
- Aonghas Iain MacDhòmhnaill as Eòghainn
- Lachlan Graham as Neach-Leanmhainn
- Niall Caimbeul as Geàrrd/Neach-ciùil
- Coinneach MacEalair Saighdear
- Jim Sutherland as Neach-ciùil
- Marian Lloyd as Neach-ciùil
- Iseabail Strachan as Neach-ciùil
- Fiona NicAsgaill as Neach-ciùil
References
- The Celtic Media Festival Archived 3 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- BBC News - Film producer quits in Oscar row
- "Gaelic film up for Scots BAFTAs". BBC.
- "Best of British: the Michael Powell Award". Screen Daily.
- "The movie at the edge of the world". The Guardian.