A couple more short UK films made by northern filmmakers, shown online at this year's Bolton Film Festival.
1. Haxey Hood - UK - Dir: Chris Boyd
A World Premiere showing at the festival for this documentary about a local annual event which takes place between two villages in Haxey, Lincolnshire (which isn't actually "up north" at all, that's central East England, but geography notwithstanding....); this documentary narrates from the perspective of a couch interview with a former "Fool" in this event, showing archive footage of past Hoods.
The Haxey Hood dates back to a happening when, in 1359, a certain Lady Elizabeth De Mowbray had her hat blown off by a gust of wind whilst riding. Thirteen farm hands chased after the hat and one (the 'fool') caught it and handed it back to her. This event is celebrated still to this day with the game known as The Haxey Hood. 13 players take part from each of the two rivalling villages with one of them appointed the 'fool' which is the most important role.
This traditional event is seemingly more important to the locals than Christmas since it is upholding local custom and tradition and keeping the village together in these times of globalisation and diminishing of local rites. An interesting watch, since living only 100 miles away, I had never heard of this event before.
2. Absent. - UK Dir: Libby Burke-Wilde
Another documentary styled film which highlights the growing problem faced by young girls and families up and down the UK; that of not being able to afford sanitary products and schoolgirls shamed into staying home or having to find unsuitable alternatives. In fact the film finishes with the statistic that 49% of young girls in the UK miss at least one day at school because of period shame / poverty.
Imogen King - the girl in this film - plays her part with empathy and realism.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 18/10/20
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