A new Gaelic film aimed at young children, produced by arts organisation Fèisean nan Gàidheal, will be streamed on Facebook this Saturday 13th March.
Cuairt Bheag (A Wee Walk) is a short film with a focus on the fun of exploring and playing outdoors. The film introduces the audience to Hùb Hàb who finds a magical box on her doorstep. It was written and directed by Angus Macleod, Fèisean nan Gàidheal Drama Officer and has been available to Gaelic medium nurseries and primary schools nationwide for the last fortnight.
Angus explained: “Hùb Hàb is a theatre-in-education project which we usually take on tour at this time of year. The film provides an online alternative which features key elements of the show and three new Gaelic songs.”
Airdrie based Gaelic singer Katie MacFarlane plays the part of Hùb Hab in the film and is accompanied by multi-instrumentalist and member of the trio, Project Smok, Pablo Lafuente, who also filmed the scenes. The project also provided an impromptu role for Katie’s six year-old niece, Mara Hughes, who gives an endearing performance as the voice of Hùb Hàb’s friend. Mara, who was learning at home when the film was made, said: “I enjoyed everything about it. I really liked the songs and the bit with Fitheach the dog!”
Hùb Hàb is produced through Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s arts in education service, Fèisgoil, with funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland and HIE.
Eilidh Mackenzie, Fèisgoil manager, said: “Katie and Pablo have done a wonderful job of pulling the songs and filmed scenes together and we were especially delighted to feature Mara as Hùb Hàb’s off-screen friend. The film can be enjoyed by everyone, in school or at home with family members. The songs were specially written for the film and beautifully performed by Katie and Pablo. The words of the songs are available on our website for sharing with young children and their teachers, classmates and families everywhere.”
To view the film on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/feisean/live on the 13th March at 10.30am.
For more information about the film and the Hùb Hàb project, contact Fèisgoil Manager Eilidh Mackenzie at eilidh@feisean.scot or Drama Officer Angus Macleod at angus@feisean.scot or visit www.feisean.org/hubhabeyt.
