One-minute trailer
A Bridge Too Far – contemporary social history documentary, mediaco-op Scotland UK
Director Robbie Fraser, Producer Louise Scott, Exec Producer Lucinda Broadbent
SYNOPSIS
Scottish islanders take on the Bank of America, and win.
In 1995 the most expensive Toll Bridge in the world opened on the Isle of Skye. It was the UK’s first experiment with private finance for public works, tested on a remote island with a docile population… or so the government thought.
The Bank of America pocketed £16m subsidy for a £25m construction, 60% over-financed. For the locals, the sums didn’t add up. With no Twitter or Facebook, they launched a mass campaign of civil disobedience against the tolls. Arrested, tried, fined, jailed – hundreds of Skye campaigners stubbornly kept up their fight through nine eventful years.
It’s a gripping adventure story and a courtroom drama. It’s a comedy too: the protesters’ epic battle was fuelled not only by their anger, but also their enormous sense of fun.
Now, eight years later, we have access to protagonists on both sides of the story – campaigners, politicians, police, bankers. With stylishly-shot interviews and rich archive, we’ll get the inside story for the first time.
It’s a quirky and entertaining tale of hidden rivalries and unlikely secret alliances. For any audience who wants to know how a small community can pull off a victory against Government and Bank.
Contact: Lucinda@mediaco-op.net +44 77 900 36915
