The new film was shot by members of Camphill communities during lockdown
Camphill Scotland is set to launch a short film marking the 80th anniversary of its first community.
The community, which was set up in Aberdeen in 1940 by a group of Austrian Jewish refugees fleeing Nazism, was the first of many - Camphill has since grown into a global movement covering 27 countries and spanning 119 communities. Scotland is home to 11 Camphills and supports over 600 people with learning disabilities and additional needs.
Filmmakers Media Coop were commissioned to create the film project prior to lockdown with a first screening event planned for October in Scottish Parliament. Instead Media Coop trained residents and pupils living in Camphill communities, along with Camphill co-workers, to shoot the film themselves.
Always anticipated to be a celebration of an 80-year-old movement which provides meaningful work opportunities, workshops and residential spaces to people with learning disabilities and additional support needs, it also reflects the strength of the Camphill community spirit during lockdown. Over 1,000 people contribute to the work of Camphill in Scotland, with almost 300 international volunteers deciding to stay during lockdown.
The finished piece will premiere on Camphill Scotland’s website at noon today (Monday 7 December).
Emma Walker, Camphill Scotland's director, said: "The 80th anniversary of Camphill was always going to provide an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the values and nature of what it means to live in a Camphill community in Scotland. To be doing that through the lens of a global pandemic that has made us all reconsider what it means to live a fulfilled life, how we embrace our own community and how we connect with people, is incredibly poignant. The film is a heartwarming testament to what Camphill in Scotland continues to achieve."
Cat Robertson, of Media Coop, said: "It is a real testament to just how resilient, creative and passionate about Camphill all the residents, pupils and co-workers are that they were able to undergo remote training, follow written guides and shooting scripts and produce such amazing footage capturing life at the communities both celebrating the important anniversary year and adapting to the new coronavirus restrictions - and all while coping with a lot of challenges and new ways of working due to the pandemic! We hope the film will be widely used and will inspire people across Scotland with the amazing work of Camphill."
