And So It Was
Synopsis: Having recently faced the loss of her sister, Norah MacRae - the longest serving post office worker in Scottish history - begins to reflect on what’s to come in her remaining years from the wee shop attached to her house.
An observational meditation on grief, time and what we leave behind; "And So It Was" paints a vivid monochrome portrait of loss - of a loved one, a village, a post office.
Director’s statement:
"And So It Was" is a reflective portrayal of my fading hometown, exploring rural decay amidst a globalised landscape. Using the theme of personal loss, the film draws parallels between bidding farewell to a loved one and the inevitable transformation of a cherished village, observed through landscapes, language, nature and the changing community.While the narrative may be bittersweet, I wish to convey not just the lows of a life lost but also the highs of a life lived; an acceptance of what has been and what is to come; an exploration of what we leave behind.
Director’s biography - Niall Morison MacRae
Hailing from the Outer Hebrides, Niall is a Scottish-Thai filmmaker whose unique island upbringing shapes his distinctive worldview. Drawn to themes such as identity, rural decay, and time, he has refined his award-winning cinematography into rich portrait documentaries focusing on a variety of subjects, including working-class experiences, the trans community, and refugees of war.
His most recent film, the short documentary "And So It Was," received a UK Royal Television Society Student award nomination for Best Factual and premiered at the prestigious Edinburgh International Film Festival. The film's continued success on the UK festival circuit has pushed it into being both BAFTA and BIFA qualifying.
Niall has since collaborated on several Screen Scotland funded films, shot the James Price-produced short film “Easy Killing”, and produced a short documentary with Grierson Doc Lab alumni Dhillon Clarke. His upcoming project, "The Last Trip," is currently in pre-production, backed by We Are Here Scotland, an arts fund supporting diverse Scottish talent.