and one BAFTA nomination
Raymond Soltysek - best television screenplay
Find out more at
the BAFTA Scotland website Back to
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and one BAFTA nomination
Raymond Soltysek - best television screenplay
Find out more at
the BAFTA Scotland website Back to
Home Page
"The Practicality of Magnolia" was first published in "Shorts: the Macallan / Scotland on Sunday Short Story Collection 1998.
It was subsequently published in "Occasional Demons", where it was noticed by Clara Glynn, director and partner in "Hopscotch Films". She and Carolynne Sinclair Kidd approached me to purchase the film rights, and ask if I would write the script.
The finished script was entered for the Scottish Screen / Scottish Media Group New Found Land project, which aims to fund the production of six half-hour films for national broadcast each year. Our bid was successful and, with a budget of around £50,000, "The Practicality..." was filmed in June 2002.
An exceptional cast was gathered for the project, including Sheila Hancock and Steven Duffy, with the voice of Brian Cox. The original music for the film was written and performed by world renowned classical composer Sally Beamish.
Premiere: The Filmhouse, Edinburgh International Film Festival, 23rd August, 2002.
Broadcast Date: Scottish Television, 7th October 2002, 11.00 pm
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Synopsis: Isobel (Sheila Hancock) runs a bed and breakfast on the west coast of Scotland. One day she is confronted by a young man (Steven Duffy) who is looking for somewhere to stay. He has no luggage and can't afford to pay to stay for the length of time he requires. They strike up a deal: he will redecorate the house from top to bottom in return for board and lodgings. It soon becomes apparent that he has something to hide, but so does Isobel. Their uneasy relationship becomes more and more relaxed as the house begins to lose it's drab appearance, but their shocking secrets force a terrible climax. |
Sheila Hancock and Steven Duffy in "The Practicality of Magnolia" |
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Reviews: "The Practicality of Magnolia"... proves that New Found Land can produce films that are original, inventive and visually inspired. An adaptation of Raymond Soltysek’s short story... this is a bright sweet film with a dark streak running through it. Sumptuously shot and boasting excellent performances all round, it’s by far the standout [New Found Land] film... The Scotsman
"The Practicality of Magnolia"... is a subtle chiller... The script draws on elements of the Hitchcockian thriller - the isolated setting, the lonely woman, the mysterious lodger - yet screenwriter Raymond Soltysek endlessly confounds our expectations. Much of the film's power is due to Hancock and Duffy, whose astute underplaying conveys the suffering and moral ambiguity of this West Highland odd couple. The Sunday Herald
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