Spanning decades of Europe's longest-running folk festival, a long-awaited documentary film, A Small Quiet English Town, is slated for a limited release across the South West this month.
Behind the feature film is producer, Paul Tully at TPLfilms.
Mr Tully is thrilled to unveil the film on multiple South West screens, delighting audiences with its story based around Sidmouth’s Folk Week, popularly known as the longest-running folk festival in Europe.
In true community character, the making of the film saw Sidmouth residents submitting nostalgic memorabilia like VHS tapes and old film canisters to aid the project.
Amusingly, an old 8mm film reel labelled Sidmouth festival 1961, was found in a skip by a builder and also made an appearance in the film.
The documentary brings to life England's much-loved folk festival from its inception in 1955 to the present, also detailing the English folk traditions through first-hand testimonials from those who have contributed to its rich history.
Interesting insights from interviews with folk stars such as Ralph McTell, Eliza and Martin Carthy, India Electric Company’s Joe and Cole, Hannah and Phil of Edgelarks, and Sidmothian Lori Campbell, among others, are featured in the documentary.
Apart from solely celebrating the folk festival's history, Mr Tully is optimistic that this is Phase 1 of larger projects that they hope to embark on.
In line with this, the TPLfilms team is looking forward to a series of short films exploring characters, musical styles, and instruments that have faded into obscurity.
With the feature film completed, these short films, an original soundtrack, a photo book, and more are set to be released via Video On Demand, CD, DVD and BluRay.
Fans can also expect a collectors edition containing all elements in a special presentation box next year.
Notably, Mr Tully and his then-girlfriend Ali conceived the original idea during a weekend trip to Sidmouth in 1999.
After 15 years of collaboration, filming, editing and fundraising, the project sponsor, The McGuffin Brothers, was instrumental in their input.
Mr Tully said: "We would also not be where we are today with this film without the brilliantly collaborative and creative input from The McGuffin Brothers.
"When we asked them to help us complete the movie they jumped at the chance and changed what this project could be, basically, into a world class piece of filmmaking."
Woven throughout the film is a rich tapestry of music, a key concept that helped to crystalize the project.
Singer-songwriter Steve Knightley, who joined the team early on, even composed an original song, Walk With Me (When The Sun Goes Down), that is a gem in the film's final sequence.
Proceeds garnered from screenings, streaming, and DVD sales are destined to support the Sidmouth Folk Festival for many years.
Sidmouth barber extraordinaire, Phil Weaver, said: "This is a well made documentary.
"Really informative and a great watch. Local faces and places. A must see." A Small Quiet English Town screens at The Beehive Cinema on July 26 at 2pm and 7pm.
For a full schedule and to purchase tickets, contact the box office on 01404 384050 or visit their website.
The Beehive have a ‘lunch and a film’ offer, where people will be able to have a traditional fish and chips before the film screens at 2pm.
A special Q&A session is set to take place following both screenings.
Tickets for adults are £8 and under 16's £7. Additional lunch is £6.
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