|
Among the more than 800 negatives in the collection of films made by
traveling filmmakers Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon are 16 that focus on the
subject of schoolchildren.
This one was designed purely for a local audience of the Dumphries market
town where it was shot, and shows the range of ages that attended the local
school. Smiling faces are prominent, and the cameraman tries to capture as many
as possible in a bid to encourage paying punters to come and see themselves (and
their offspring) on screen. Screenings often took place at a local venue the day
after shooting.
The strict and formal character of the Edwardian education system is
reflected in the separated lines of well-behaved young boys and girls. The
film's sponsor is seen in the final shot provoking a play-fight between the
older children - a technique sometimes employed by the filmmakers to generate
excitement and entertainment for the audience. It certainly brings some energy
to what might otherwise have been a rather static record of children at
school.
Rebecca Vick
| 
Complete film (1:24)
