Award winning charity film makers explore the effects of embedded racism
A new project by acclaimed third sector film makers media co-op will explore every day racism and its impact while uncovering a Scottish town’s uncomfortable past.
For generations, Robertson’s jam and marmalade made in Paisley had a golly on every jar - a racist image, dating from black-face minstrels in the days of slavery.
Paisley's re-imagined Museum, opening in 2025, took the bold step of creating an exhibit about the Robertson's golly. Some people remember the golly fondly; others are appalled at decades of spreading racism with our breakfast toast.
The museum commissioned media co-op to produce a short film, called Spreading Racism At Breakfast, about the controversy, directed by Etienne Kubwabo (filmmaker and creator of Beats of War comic - pictured below).
Now, for Black History Month Scotland 2024, people will be able to see an exclusive preview of the film, hear from Etienne Kubwabo, media co-op filmmakers, commissioners from Paisley Museum, and one of the consultants behind the golly film.
People can also have their say in an interactive discussion, asking how effective are short films as a tool to challenge racism and raise awareness?
The event also features a 90-second archive film made by asylum-seekers with Oxfam Scotland.
Director Etienne Kubwabo said: “I’ve made feature films, television, comics and documentaries - but this was the first time I've directed a film for a museum.
“As I didn’t grow up in Scotland, it was a journey of discovery for me to find out about the golly on the Robertson’s jam jars.
“I hope my film will make people think - whether they have fond nostalgic memories of gollies or whether they’ve always seen the golly as a racist image.
“Please come along to our Black History Month screening - I look forward to hearing what you think.”
Aileen Strachan of Paisley Museum Reimagined said “We took a bold step to create an exhibit about the Robertson's golly. Some people remember the golly fondly, others are appalled at decades of spreading racism with our breakfast toast.
“It was important to us to work with a black film director, and to consult closely with the community to get this film right.
“The media co-op team were really involved in the subject matter. I was at the filming, and I saw how they bring creativity to ways of working with people as well as creativity to the film-making - they did an amazing job pulling the film together.”
Vilte Vaitkute of media co-op added: “It’s hard to believe that right up to 2001 Robertson’s factory in Paisley plastered the golly logo on their jam and marmalade.
“We salute the new Paisley Museum for facing up to the racist history of the brand, and unpicking the complexities of the history and the issues. It was an honour for media co-op to co-produce the film.
“Everyone’s welcome to media co-op’s event for Black History Month 2024 on 10 October. Watch a couple of short films with us, find out what went on behind the scenes, and explore question of how effective films can be to challenge racism and make people think."
The screening is free and open to all and takes place on Thursday, 10 October from 1pm to 2pm on zoom.
