Icarus (after Amelia)

This new 35mm film by Margaret Salmon formed the heart of Home Economics an exhibition at Chapter Thirteen in The Pearce Institute, Govan. The film was produced through a long process of conversations, observation and creative collaboration with many people including musicians Tracyanne Campbell and Donna Maciocia, economist Professor Sara Cantillon, writer Maria Fusco, Kurdish singer and teacher Midya Jan, local mothers and workers from businesses and social enterprises including Govan Dental Care, Govan Pantry, His & Hers Alteration, Jackie’s One Salon, Mother Africa, Morris & Spottiswood, Starter Packs and The Magpie’s Nest.

From a starting point meeting people inside The Pearce Institute Icarus (after Amelia) chronicles time spent in local workplaces, homes, parks, streets, cafes and a flight through the sky in a small plane. The structure and title of the film refer to Amelia Earhart’s 1932 solo transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Paris, interrupted when she landed in Derry, Northern Ireland after almost 15 hours flying through ice, wind and mechanical problems and was promptly hosted by the farming family on whose land she appeared.

The film created equivalence between the paid and unpaid work upon which society depends. It is an anthem in celebration of women in their everyday, ardently looking and listening to each person featured.

Video credits

Filmed in, around and above Govan, Glasgow with an Arri 2C 35mm camera on Kodak motion picture film stock with Schneider Xenon lenses.

Featuring:
Annie Achurch, Phyl Anderson, Lynsey Marie Ashton, Chloe Buchanan, Molly Campbell, Professor Sara Cantillon, Caroline Clark, Jenna Cramb, Gerado Ernesto, Sanfra Glancy, Hana Hejeh, Midya Jan, Sharon Landsborough, Mhairi Macdonald, Jackie McGrath, Rachel McGraw, Emily McLaughlin, Elspeth McMillan, Hannah Milligan, Jaqui Morris, Kirsteen Mowat, Caroline Murphy, Amy Norman, Prisca Nwadi, Samuel Nwadi, Joan O.Ogbomo, Joshua E.Ogbomo, Lesley Robertson, Sadie Robinson, Emily Smith, Rosie Spooner, Asiya Suleman, Helen Turnbull, Heather Vernon.

Voice-over: Maria Fusco, Olive White Mojsiewicz, Margaret Salmon
Juggler: Sita Iona Pieraccini
Airplane pilot: Craig Thomas, Glasgow Flight Club

Govan businesses & organisations in the film:
The Magpie’s Nest, Starter Packs, Govan Pantry, Mother Africa, Jackie’s One Salon, Govan Dental Care, His & Hers Alteration, Morris & Spottiswood, The Pearce Institute and The Govan Allsorts Choir.
Darkroom scene filmed at Streetlevel Photoworks, Glasgow.

Texts & Archival Audio:
Introduction to feminist economics, written and read by Professor Sara Cantillon, Director of the Wise Centre for Economic Justice, Glasgow Caledonian College

Amelia Earhart on her solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, 1932, audio interview courtesy The British Library

Maria Fusco’s text is from her book, Give Up Art: Collected Critical Writing, published by New Documents, 2017

Mrs. Gallagher recounting Amelia Earhart’s landing in a field in Derry, audio interview from 1935, BBC Ulster

Music:
'We’re Gonna Make It In A Man’s World', written and performed by Tracyanne Campbell and Donna Maciocia.

'Birds and Bees Instrumental', written and performed by Tracyanne Campbell and Donna Maciocia.

,We’re Gonna Make It In A Man’s World Instrumental', written and performed by Tracyanne Campbell and Donna Maciocia.

'The Pawn Shop', performed by The Govan Allsorts Choir.

'Were Gulê (Baran bari)', Kurdish folk song performed by Midya Jan and Gerado Ernesto.

Camera Assistant: Jen Martin
Sound: Jen Martin, Kirsteen Macdonald, Eglantine Salmon Wiand, Margaret Salmon
Foley performances: Jen Martin, Eglantine Salmon Wiand, Joe O’Brian

Colourist: Jason R. Moffat
Audio Post Coordinator: Ariane Jackson Marini
Sound Designer: Micheal MacKinnon, Margaret Salmon
Re-recording Mixer: Iain Anderson

Childcare provided by: Notre Dame Afty, Hyndland After School Club

Directed, filmed and edited by Margaret Salmon

A Housework Films Production
Producer: Margaret Salmon
Associate Producer: Matilda Strang
Commissioned by Chapter Thirteen
Executive Producer: Kirsteen Macdonald

Supported by Creative Scotland, and Glasgow International 2021 as part of the Across the City Programme

Special thanks to:

Siri Black, Amanda Catto, Neil Clements, Ben Cook, Anne Marie Copestake, Bill Downie, Gavin Dunbar, Govan Community Project, Luke Fowler, Anne Hardy, James N. Hutchinson, Ariane Jackson, Bob Jackson, Anne Keegan, Paul MacAlindin, Steph McFadden, Ann McGhee, Angus Mills, George Morris, Richard Parry, Dominic Paterson, Jon Pope, Ariki Porteous, William Raban, Lesley Robertson, Kathy Salmon, Viv Sawers, Corin Sworn, Chris Tait, Tea in the Pot and Lesley Young

Kodak Film Lab London, Sam Clark, Martin McGlone, and Dan Redrup

Philomena, Eglantine and Ulysses Salmon Wiand

And to the many friends, family and colleagues who have supported this production.

In memory of Dr. Margaret Smith and Margaret Perrotto.

Filmed during 2020 and 2021 following Scottish Government guidance on safe working practices.

© Housework Films Ltd.