Director’s Statement
My Old School is a documentary which finally reveals the truth behind one of the most incredible stories of the past 30 years. Featuring interviews with my old classmates and teachers, together we tell how a 32-year-old man tricked his way into our school – and, for the first time, how Brandon Lee’s true identity was revealed.
Playing with its theme of identity and deception, this documentary stars the internationally renowned actor Alan Cumming as both the face and the voice of Brandon, albeit never at the same time. In an astonishing performance, Alan perfectly lip-syncs to an audio interview I recorded with the imposter himself. In addition to that, Alan also provides the voice of the young Brandon in our animated flashback scenes. As Alan notes, ‘This is a great Scottish tale, one that gripped the entire nation when it first broke back in the 1990s, and this documentary retells it from the point of view of the pupils and teachers it all happened to! Their experience, their truth and the legacy they still struggle with will, I believe, now captivate a global audience. It’s told with a quirky sensitivity, humour and honesty. It’s a story that has always fascinated me and I am delighted to play a part in its telling.’
One of the roles Alan is best known for is class nerd Sandy Frink in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. But Alan isn’t the only actor in our cast who’s been in an iconic high school movie. Our teaching staff includes Gregory’s Girl herself, Clare Grogan, and the star (and US Billboard chart-topping singer) of To Sir with Love, Lulu. And just like in that movie classic of 1967, Lulu sings our title song, the Steely Dan hit ‘My Old School’. Her powerhouse of a performance plays over a fun end credit sequence where cartoon characters meet their real life counterparts.
Animated flashback scenes with cartoon characters evoke high school life from 25 years ago. While drawing inspiration from MTV’s 1990s high school icon, Daria, the film also nods to the animation styles of the 1970s. Producers John Archer and Olivia Lichtenstein say, ‘This is a story that will remind you of your schooldays; an unforgettable tale told with warmth, verve and originality by Class 5C, who lived through this extraordinary deception and have never forgotten it. And now, neither will you!’
My Old School is an exciting and unique project – a real-life rollercoaster of a story, told on film in a completely new way.
Production notes
MY OLD SCHOOL
Directed by: Jono McLeod
©: Going Back Limited
Production Company: Hopscotch Films
Developed and supported by the: National Lottery through Creative Scotland
Executive Producer: Jono McLeod
Executive Producers for Hopscotch Films: John Archer, Clara Glynn
Produced by: John Archer, Olivia Lichtenstein
Line Producer: David Brown
Production Co-ordinators: Mhairi Valentine, Phil Mews
Accountant: Ken Livingstone
Head of Post-production: Ross MacRae
Post-production Manager: Joanna Clements
Researchers: Jack Archer, Alex Chandler, Chris Walker
1st Assistant Director: Remo Catani
Written by: Jono McLeod
Cinematography by: George Geddes
Additional Photography: Jack Archer, Jack Cocker, Cal Hallows, Jono McLeod, Chris Murray, Allan Nagy
Digital Imaging Technician: Derek Gereg
Gaffer: Sean Macdonald
Animation Director: Rory Lowe
Lead Animator: Scott Morriss
Animation by: Wild Child
Wild Child (Creative Director): Rory Lowe
Wild Child (Art Director): Scott Morriss
Wild Child (Producer): Sueann Rochester
Wild Child (Head of Production): Anthony Eliot-Finch
Wild Child (Line Producer): Martha MacDiarmid
Edited by: Berny McGurk
On-line Editor: Lewis Carmichael
Additional Editing: Jono McLeod
Production Designer: Jamie MacWilliam
Storyboard Artist: David Cameron Newbigging
Costume Designers: Finlay McLay, Layla Mall
Make-up Artists: Caroline Hamilton, Jo McAuliffe, Jade Nicholl
Colourist: Jon Bruce
Original Score by: Shelly Poole
Original Soundtrack Arranged by: Shelly Poole
Music Supervisor: Gemma Dempsey
Sound Designers: Heather Andrews, Stewart Simpson
Sound Recordists: Lisa Higgins, Jonathon McLoone, David McKeitch, Kevin Robertson
Re-recording Mixer: John Cobban
Cast
Alan Cumming (Brandon)
Lulu (voice of Mrs Holmes)
Clare Grogan (voice of Mrs Ogg)
Juliet Cadzow (voice of Brandon’s gran)
Michelle Gallagher (voice of Mrs Thomson)
Camilla Kerslake (voice of Brandon’s mum)
Gary Lamont (voice of Mr McKinnon)
Natalie McConnon (voice of Nicola)
Joe McFadden (voice of Mr MacLeod)
Carly McKinnon (voice of Miss Mackichan)
Brian O’Sullivan (voice of Mr Gunn)
Wam Siluka Jr (voice of Stefen)
Dawn Steele (voice of Mrs Nolan)
Michelle Gallagher, Gary Lamont, Natalie McConnon, Brian O’Sullivan (additional voices)
UK 2022©
104 mins
Courtesy of Dogwoof
BFI SOUTHBANK
Welcome to the home of great film and TV, with three cinemas and a studio, a world-class library, regular exhibitions and a pioneering Mediatheque with 1000s of free titles for you to explore. Browse special-edition merchandise in the BFI Shop.We're also pleased to offer you a unique new space, the BFI Riverfront – with unrivalled riverside views of Waterloo Bridge and beyond, a delicious seasonal menu, plus a stylish balcony bar for cocktails or special events. Come and enjoy a pre-cinema dinner or a drink on the balcony as the sun goes down.
BECOME A BFI MEMBER
Enjoy a great package of film benefits including priority booking at BFI Southbank and BFI Festivals. Join today at bfi.org.uk/join
BFI PLAYER
We are always open online on BFI Player where you can watch the best new, cult & classic cinema on demand. Showcasing hand-picked landmark British and independent titles, films are available to watch in three distinct ways: Subscription, Rentals & Free to view.
See something different today on player.bfi.org.uk
Join the BFI mailing list for regular programme updates. Not yet registered? Create a new account at www.bfi.org.uk/signup
Programme notes and credits compiled by the BFI Documentation Unit
Notes may be edited or abridged
Questions/comments? Contact the Programme Notes team by email