I got my break working in film after being a radio reporter for BBC Scotland in the early nineties, where I was also trained as a researcher /producer for news anchors. I was introduced to the medium of filmmaking when I got a job with Clan Wallace the film fighter crew for 'Braveheart'. After learning from them about 'backup' crew work and film fighting, I moved on to work with Independent filmmaker Robbie Moffat for his Production Company Palm Tree UK. I went on to co-produce and co-own a portfolio of over 20 completed works, including 3 films, I wrote and 2 of them I directed. I am mostly known for writing and making the film Red Rose about the life of Robert Burns, which was translated into 12 different languages and seen on TV in Eastern European countries where it was distributed by HBO. It was also the first film in English to be dubbed into Mandarin for Chinese TV.  

 

I have also written and directed 2 other films Photoshoot  (Film Noir) and Going Green (a Family Movie).  You can see other works I produced with Robbie Moffat at Palm Tree Universal website www.palmtreefilm.com  Whilst I divorced him in 2008 I remain a co-rights owner of the 20 or so films that we made together. This year 2023 Sans Peur began properly comming out of dormancy to develop its slate of feature films with a view of going into production with a 5 year business plan.

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PROJECTS

 The first of these projects is about the struggles of Scottish Gaelic Highlanders suffering forced emigration as reluctant refugees fleeing hunger from Scotland.  It is set in Patagonia, during the Revolution of the 1920s, and its working title is 'Exiled' in Patagonia'. The third is a similar theme concentrating on the Scottish Gaelic Highland community in Montana at the time of the Battle of Little Big Horn during their alliance with the Native American tribe, the Nez Perce.  Thirdly a compelling drama set in Nazi Germany and Scotland about the British spy network that was to defeat Hitler from within the regime.  As if that was not enough I have written the first episodes of a proposed 12-part TV series about the life of Fifth Century Irish Warrior King Niall of the Nine Hostages.

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Themes

Much of the themes of these screenplays are about the Scottish Highland indigenous diaspora, whose history has seen much tragedy in its struggle against enforced displacement both at home and abroad. Whilst none of the above have been commissioned yet, my feeling is that the Scottish experience is entwined with the Universal struggle for freedom that all humans aspire to and it will only be a matter of time before these films are made.

Speaker and Consultant

I am available as a speaker on a variety of subjects from film directing to producing particularly for Women.  I also speak about the Scottish poet Robert Burns for Burns Suppers because of my screenplay. I am available for consultations with students and filmmakers in general about the tough world of film production and direction.

To book a Consultation with me you can contact me here or via the my email sutherlandmairi12@gmail.com.

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