Apparently the main reason is that Glasgow knocked down its city centre and displaced communities to the outer suburbs. This led to more social atomisation than those other cities.
Thanks for this Neil. Patrick keilers London film is truly a quiet and poetic work of art that on seeing if for the first time whist living in London in the 90s was indeed a revelation . Paul Scofield’s haunting narration is masterful. Scofield, known for A Man for All Seasons, adds that extra weight and gravitas, making the city feel like both a character and a mystery. Forget the book and organise a screening at your local independent cinema and invite us all. BFI have a good interview with him for more detail on why he chose to use a static camera .
Thanks Nick! I may suggest it to Agitate in Edinburgh. It could be the kind of thing they’d be interested in. Keiller did come to Glasgow a few years ago but I was sadly away.
Love your Glasgow piece though it brings me almost to tears about Glasgow. The same reaction I've had in recent years when in Liverpool and Birmingham and seeing their comparative life and rebirth. Having just returned from my first visit to Gdansk I spent much of my week thinking the same again, with great envy and regret for Glasgow's missed potential, especially around the waterfront and docks, which had struck me so much about Liverpool. Dreams of what Glasgow could be. Could have been. Too much has gone and where is the damn vision?
Thank you, Janet! This is all very true ... there is a lack of vision. Some compare it to Detroit. But there is still a lot going on here and I think lots of new potential. I may be an optimist, but even so I am even more optimistic than before.
You must! I’m surprised that you haven’t seen it. It definitely ticks a lot of your boxes, particularly as he was an architect. Let me know what you think if you get to see it.
I loved Keiller’s exhibition ‘The Robinson Institute’ at Tate Britain. The choice of narrator for both Robinson films is perfect. What is it about the name Robinson? Do you know the Robinson poems of Weldon Kees and Simon Armitage’s homage ‘Around Robinson’? There’s a great BBC film about Armitage’s search for Kees too.
It was brilliant that he got to do the exhibition. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think that era of Patrick Keiller is quite as vital as the earlier stuff. Robinson in Ruins is less randomly allusive. But you are right to pick up on the name Robinson. I have read the poems but not Simon Armitage’s homage. Will look it up. They all derives from Daniel Defoe who basically created modern individualism in Robinson Crusoe.
Very interesting piece, Neil. I watched the video you posted as well as a couple of other clips on YouTube. A really good, unique approach. I agree with your point that it doesn’t really work as a photo book. You miss out on the narrative that ties the images together as well as the incredible voice of the late, great Paul Scofield.
Thanks Mark! The voice of Scofield is irreplaceable and the third film in the series, Robinson in Ruins - with Vanessa Redgrave narrating - is lacking.
This is really interesting, Neil. I'm going to try to find the film. Do you think the book would have worked better had you not seen, and been so impressed by, the film?
Thank you, Andrew! This is why I love about writing these posts: the recommendations! I will take a look at that. Robinson in Space is great but perhaps less revelatory. Enjoy your viewings!
Very interesting & thought provoking article.
Loved your film about Glasgow. It made me think about what has happened to all the other British cities which prospered in the days of Empire.
Glasgow seems to have had a worse outcome, compared to cities like Bristol, Manchester and Liverpool. If this is true, why?
Apparently the main reason is that Glasgow knocked down its city centre and displaced communities to the outer suburbs. This led to more social atomisation than those other cities.
Thanks for this Neil. Patrick keilers London film is truly a quiet and poetic work of art that on seeing if for the first time whist living in London in the 90s was indeed a revelation . Paul Scofield’s haunting narration is masterful. Scofield, known for A Man for All Seasons, adds that extra weight and gravitas, making the city feel like both a character and a mystery. Forget the book and organise a screening at your local independent cinema and invite us all. BFI have a good interview with him for more detail on why he chose to use a static camera .
Thanks Nick! I may suggest it to Agitate in Edinburgh. It could be the kind of thing they’d be interested in. Keiller did come to Glasgow a few years ago but I was sadly away.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-KX6KNhxAMI
Love your Glasgow piece though it brings me almost to tears about Glasgow. The same reaction I've had in recent years when in Liverpool and Birmingham and seeing their comparative life and rebirth. Having just returned from my first visit to Gdansk I spent much of my week thinking the same again, with great envy and regret for Glasgow's missed potential, especially around the waterfront and docks, which had struck me so much about Liverpool. Dreams of what Glasgow could be. Could have been. Too much has gone and where is the damn vision?
Thank you, Janet! This is all very true ... there is a lack of vision. Some compare it to Detroit. But there is still a lot going on here and I think lots of new potential. I may be an optimist, but even so I am even more optimistic than before.
Fascinating. The clip you shared has made me want to watch the while film.
You must! I’m surprised that you haven’t seen it. It definitely ticks a lot of your boxes, particularly as he was an architect. Let me know what you think if you get to see it.
A great piece and a timely reminder to rewatch these films again - thanks Neil
my pleasure.
I loved Keiller’s exhibition ‘The Robinson Institute’ at Tate Britain. The choice of narrator for both Robinson films is perfect. What is it about the name Robinson? Do you know the Robinson poems of Weldon Kees and Simon Armitage’s homage ‘Around Robinson’? There’s a great BBC film about Armitage’s search for Kees too.
It was brilliant that he got to do the exhibition. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think that era of Patrick Keiller is quite as vital as the earlier stuff. Robinson in Ruins is less randomly allusive. But you are right to pick up on the name Robinson. I have read the poems but not Simon Armitage’s homage. Will look it up. They all derives from Daniel Defoe who basically created modern individualism in Robinson Crusoe.
Very interesting piece, Neil. I watched the video you posted as well as a couple of other clips on YouTube. A really good, unique approach. I agree with your point that it doesn’t really work as a photo book. You miss out on the narrative that ties the images together as well as the incredible voice of the late, great Paul Scofield.
Thanks Mark! The voice of Scofield is irreplaceable and the third film in the series, Robinson in Ruins - with Vanessa Redgrave narrating - is lacking.
This is really interesting, Neil. I'm going to try to find the film. Do you think the book would have worked better had you not seen, and been so impressed by, the film?
Bizarrely, I did find a copy of the film on a dodgy Russian porn site. Happy to send you the link if you dare.
I am not sure the book makes sense if you haven’t watched the film.
Do let me know what you think if you see it.
Big fan of Russian porn, but I think I can get it on Amazon Prime -- though need some bandwidth. Will circle back if I get this done.
😂 Amazon probably for the best!
Thank you, Andrew! This is why I love about writing these posts: the recommendations! I will take a look at that. Robinson in Space is great but perhaps less revelatory. Enjoy your viewings!