On Thursday 15thApril AmberSide hosted a discussion event about the Amber Film, ‘Dream On’. The 1991 feature film grew from the Collective’s work in the North Shields area. The film blends magic, fantasy, dreams and realism in its exploration of women’s lives. Set on the Meadow Well estate, the script was developed from work with a women’s writers group that Amber established at the Cedarwood Centre
Joining the discussion event was director Ellin Hare, and writers Kitty Fitzgerald, Sheila Auld and Linda Graham, as well as community activists working in the area at time. The event was well attended with informal conversation about the film. The panel shared how ‘Dream On’ came about through the women’s writing group and issue based short dramas created by Amber with the community. This led to a discussion about working in the community at the time, the experiences of those involved in making the film and the changes in the area over the past thirty years.
For those unable to attend the event, ‘Dream On’ is available to rent from our website. We hope to make the recording of the screening event available soon.
‘Dream On’ was shown as part of AmberSide’s current project in the Meadow Well Estate. Using Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen’s classic 1981 work Interiors as inspiration, photographer Maria Maza has been commissioned to work with residents, creating an outdoor exhibition which will be displayed in external community spaces in and around the Meadow Well Estate in May 2021. Keep a look out on our social media channels for more information and an opening date.
We are still looking for residents of the Meadow Well Estate, past and present, to contribute. To find out more and to get in touch, please follow the relevant links below, or email ambermeadowwell@gmail.com
The general Meadow Well Project Facebook page
