Scotland’s stunning island of Jura is known for its bleak and harsh environment and was where George Orwell wrote his famous 1984 novel.
Now the Inner Hebridean island is the backdrop for a fabulous new film set to be released in UK cinemas next month.
Its premiere, with prestigious actor Damian Lewis as the voice of Orwell, will be on 2nd March at Glasgow Film Festival and on the 3rd at Glasgow Quay’s Odeon, before going on general release on the 27th March.
The bold and timely cinematic exploration of the enduring relevance of Orwell’s work tells the story of the 1940’s novel which foretold a chilling and all too believable authoritarian future which has become so true in modern times.
Orwell lived at the remote Barnhill Farmhouse on the northern tip of the Scottish isle from 1946 until 1949 to seek solitude from his over bearing journalistic bosses.
All this was achieved despite Orwell suffering from severe tuberculosis and living in poor conditions with no electricity.
As well as writing, he fished and gardened and enjoy the beauty of the barren landscape. Joined by his adopted son, Richard Blair and family members, it was a place he loved and in 1947 he nearly drowned in the Corrywreckan Whirlpool near the island.
Today the farmhouse is visited by his many fans and in 2024, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the book, artist Hans K Clausen, curated The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth with a collection of 1,984 diverse editions of 1984, featuring doodles and personal mementoes from readers across the world.
For the film, acclaimed director and BAFTA award winner Raoul Peck and award winning director, Alex Gibney, worked in collaboration with the Orwell Estates to interweave historical clips and readings from Orwell’s diary and with cinematic references and dynamic modern day footage, crafted not only a definitive portrait of the writer himself, but an entirely fresh take on how remarkably relevant and prophetic Orwell’s work has become.
This, together with the impressive voice of Damian Lewis, provides a stirring depiction of the dangers of power and the fragility of so-called civilised society, told through the eyes of a man from the past who just might hold the key to the world’s future.
ORWELL: 2+2=5, certificate 15, is released by Altitude Film Distribution. Glasgow Film Festival runs at various venues across the city from 25th February to 8th March 2026. For the full programme please visit: www.glasgowfilmfest.org.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Image courtesy of Altitude Media Group
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