James Scott
Family name: Scott
Work area/Craft/Role: independent cinema, Artist
Industry: Film
Websites: Wikipedia
Interview date(s): 29 November 2011
Interviewer(s): Will Fowler
Production Media: video
Duration (mins): 82
Access Restriction: No consent/release form received. Check with BEHP Secretary before reuse.
Born: 1941, UK IFFR+2JAMES SCOTT+2
Parents: Son of the British artist William Scott. IFFR+1
Education:
Studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, London — painting and theatre design. JAMES SCOTT+1
Early interest in filmmaking and photography during his student years. JAMES SCOTT+1
James Scott is associated with independent, art, and experimental cinema. His work often blurs lines between documentary, narrative, and art film, with a strong interest in political and aesthetic issues. JAMES SCOTT+2IFFR+2
Some key aspects:
Art Documentaries: Early in his career, he directed documentaries about artists such as David Hockney, R. B. Kitaj, Richard Hamilton, Claes Oldenburg, Antoni TÃ pies. JAMES SCOTT+3Wikipedia+3JAMES SCOTT+3
Political / Collective Filmmaking: Co-founder of the Berwick Street Film Collective, working in politically engaged cinema, e.g. Nightcleaners. Wikipedia+2JAMES SCOTT+2
Experimental Narrative: Films mixing forms. Example: Adult Fun (1972) which plays with spy-thriller tropes, fantasy, documentary-like interviews. Use of non-actors, stylized blending of documentary and fiction. JAMES SCOTT+2JAMES SCOTT+2
Short Film Success: A Shocking Accident (1982) won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film in 1983. Wikipedia+2JAMES SCOTT+2
Key Works / Filmography
Some of his more notable works include:
| Year | Title | Type / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Rocking Horse | Short; student film, early narrative. JAMES SCOTT+1 |
| Late 1960s | Love’s Presentation, RB Kitaj, Richard Hamilton | Artist documentaries. Wikipedia+2JAMES SCOTT+2 |
| 1971-1976 | The Great Ice Cream Robbery, Coilin and Platonida | Experimental or art documentary work; non-professional actors in some. Wikipedia+2JAMES SCOTT+2 |
| 1974 | Nightcleaners (Part 1) | Political/documentary; group work via Berwick Street Film Collective. Wikipedia+1 |
| 1982 | A Shocking Accident | Short; Oscar winner. Wikipedia+2JAMES SCOTT+2 |
| 1984 | Every Picture Tells a Story | About his father, the painter William Scott. Aesthetica Magazine+3Wikipedia+3JAMES SCOTT+3 |
| 1990 | Strike It Rich | Feature film; more mainstream narrative. IFFR+1 |
| 2002 | The Last of England (short) IFFR | |
| 2017 | Vanishing Point (doc, short) | Filmed on his iPhone. IFFR+1 |
| 2020 | Fragments (short) IFFR+1 |
Themes and Importance
Exploration of alienation, both socially and artistically. Many works engage with class, identity, the role of art in society. JAMES SCOTT+2JAMES SCOTT+2
Formal experimentation: blending documentary, non-fiction, fiction; use of non-actors; stylistic multiple projections; challenging norms of narrative film. JAMES SCOTT+3JAMES SCOTT+3IFFR+3
Political engagement: working with collectives; addressing labour, social justice, invisibility of certain social groups. Wikipedia+1
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by interview participants are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of the History Project or any of its volunteers, employees or representatives. (See details). Please also see our Takedown Policy.