In this installment of our film preview series leading up to the 2014 Festival, we explore the feature narrative “Blackbird.”

“Blackbird” written and directed by Jamie Chambers, produced by James Barrett

(91 minutes)

Set in a picturesque seaside Scottish village, the interior character and conflicts presented in “Blackbird” may appear familiar to anyone who has ever sought to preserve old world traditions, amidst today’s intensely changing society. It’s a loss of longtime traditions experienced by cultures around the world, but also the focus of efforts to preserve.

From the moment we meet the youthful Ruadhan, an old soul at heart and aspiring balladeer, his despair over the fading traditional cultures of his hometown is clearly evident. A community which appears to have once been rich in sea-faring commerce, quaint, but active businesses, and generations of residents, is void of fishing commerce, jobs, and a diversity of generations. Eager to influence others to ‘fight the good fight’ and preserve the village they love, Ruadhan seeks counsel and inspiration from the town’s elders, who share their advice in actions and traditional lyrical verse. Ruadhan’s childhood friends, Calum and Amy, witness his efforts and seek to support him. They do so offering their own input about the need to find balance between actively cherishing and celebrating the past and embracing the present, if one is to have a sound future.

As Ruadhan is forced to face the erosion of that which he holds most dear, represented in personal loss and societal shifts, he loses himself for a time. In the end an awakening of sorts gives him hope that he can find his station in life, and take the traditions with him, while also sharing them with others.

The hauntingly beautiful lyrical verses performed by the town’s elders, portrayed by revered Scottish performers and storytellers Norman Maclean, Margaret Bennett and Sheila Stewart, among others, demonstrate just how powerful and valuable oral traditions and folk cultures are. In an interview that appeared in the news outlet The Guardian, Norman Maclean spoke to the changes in the time-honored oral traditions.

“We simply have a different mode of acquiring knowledge. In this age of individualism the kids just go to Wikipedia and Google if they want to know things,” he said. “But some information can only be passed on orally. You can’t find how to douse sheep or deliver cattle on Wikipedia. You have to have your Uncle Archie or whomever to tell you about it. I hate using pseudo-sociological terms but once the oral thing and the communality go, you end up with is anomie.”

In the same article, Jamie Chambers, writer-director of the award-winning “Blackbird”, spoke of present-day efforts to preserve the oral culture. However, the issue of being progressive in those efforts, and creating greater awareness remains a challenge, he explained.

Yet, in shedding light on the beauty and importance of oral traditions Chambers and the talented cast of “Blackbird” give all of us the opportunity to be empowered by its message, participate in the preservation efforts, and seek out similar traditions in our own lives and cultures.

By Antoinette Rahn