Short Film
Zip 'N Zoo.
Published: 21 August, 2008
ASSYNT residents will be eagerly awaiting the screening in just over a week's time of director Bruce Robertson's short film, Zip n Zoo.
For not only is it based in North-West Sutherland but it also includes a number of local people who were drafted in to act as extras to a stellar cast.
Among the well-known actors in the leading roles are John Hannah, Simone Lahbib and Remy Bennett.
Zip n Zoo was shown earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival where it was given rave reviews, but its world premiere will be in Lochinver on Monday, September 1, and then Ullapool on Wednesday, September 3. The film is to be shown in the Screen Machine mobile cinema as an accompaniment to this season's blockbuster, Mamma Mia.
Bruce Robertson is an actor turned writer and director from Portobello in Edinburgh. He says: "I was an actor and then I went to film school and became a director. I have been involved in advertising and classical music films. Zip n Zoo is the first drama I have done." Bruce, who flew out last Wednesday to Beijing for the Olympics, fell in love with Assynt while on holiday in the area.
So much so that three years ago he bought a house in Culkein Drumbeg. Although based in London, he and his family are frequently visitors. "I love the area," he says. "It is completely unique and special. Just wonderful. I wanted to make a film there and show the beauty of the area."
Zip n Zoo is the story of Tom (John Hannah) a schoolteacher, fly fishing expert and prize fiddle player, and his wife Marion (Simone Lahbib) who share an idyllic life in the Highlands.
The couple are trying to have a baby but then Natalie (Remy Bennett) a 19-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York, turns up claiming to be Tom's daughter.
It emerges that Natalie is a product of the days when Tom was a penniless student in the States and became a sperm donor.
'A stunning part of Scotland' – Scottish actor John Hannah enjoyed filming in Assynt.
The film's title comes from a phrase used in fly-fishing to describe the timing of the casting of an angler's fly.
Scottish actor John Hannah of "Mummy" fame said in a recent interview with The Scotsman: "I did Bruce's film because he sent me the script and I really liked it.
"It's different, such a sweet little film. And making Zip n Zoo was a great opportunity to spend time in a stunning part of Scotland, Assynt in Sutherland. I'd never been there before."
And The Scotsman critic says of the film: "Scenery gorgeous, acting subtle, story both funny and touching." Providing the music in the drama is Charlie McKerron of Capercaillie who is widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest fiddle players. Bruce said: "We filmed in Drumbeg at the local stores and in the pub and what was the old school which is now the community hall.
"We then went on to film in Durness, at the book shop there and at the John Lennon Memorial. Some scenes were filmed at Achmelvich and Clashnessie beaches."
Indeed such is the beauty of the film's backdrop, that Zip n Zoo was considered the jewel in the crown of the Highlands and islands Film Commission's bid to sell Scottish locations for international film-makers.
Bruce said that Zip n Zoo will be shown at the Inverness Film Festival in November and showings in Glasgow and London are also on the cards. He is also hoping the film will be accepted at several international film festivals and there is talk of it being made into a television series.