Glasgow Film Festival and other film news

The brilliant Southside Festival will be back in a couple of months but to tide you over until then, here's a little selection of Southside related Film news.

Firstly this week sees the return of the Glasgow Film Festival and they are extending out of the City Centre this year with two films being shown south of the river. The two films in question are:

In Search of Blind Joe Death: The Saga of John Fahey (pictured above)

The unique, guitar finger-picking sound of John Fahey influenced a range of musicians – from Pete Townshend (who calls him the folk equivalent of William Burroughs or Charles Bukowski) to Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and Chris Funk of The Decemberists. This documentary recounts the dynamic life of the eccentric guitarist, who transcended blues traditions, melding them with both world and classical forms. Featuring talking heads along with archive footage of performances and interviews, this film creates a vivid portrait of a true guitar pioneer. (This is a partnered showing with the Southside Festival's ongoing Film club, more news of which next week.)

Following the screening will be a short solo set from folk guitarist Alasdair Roberts. 

The Glad Café / Tuesday 19 February (20.00)

The Black Pirate

Appearing without the benefit of CGI or 3D, swashbuckling silent screen star Douglas Fairbanks Sr created some of the most spectacular stunt sequences in movie history. 

An athletic, devil-me-care spirit, he found one of his best roles in The Black Pirate, a rip-roaring tale of adventure on the high seas. Determined to avenge the death of his father at the hands of scurvy pirates, incognito nobleman Fairbanks secretly joins their numbers. Along the way there is action aplenty with sword fights, death-defying escapes and the chance to rescue a beautiful princess. All in a day’s work for Doug. An early Technicolor gem for thrill-seekers of all ages. 

Pollokshaws Burgh Hall / Sunday 24 February (19.30) 

Southsidebased Hot Tap Media have been in touch with two extra film related bits of news.

One they are having a prop sale from their upcoming movie Not Another Happy Ending directed by Southside John McKay which you can get more info about here and two they are looking for a Community Co-ordinator to work with them and are interested in speaking to Southsiders.