Islandness

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Islandness explores the profound connections between people and place in a world in crisis. This feature-length documentary is an intimate portrait of island life in the Scottish Hebrides set during this pivotal period of unrest. The story follows a diverse group of islanders as their ways of life are shaped by climate breakdown and cultural erosion, asking some of the most pressing questions of our times.

Islands are ‘canaries in the coalmine’ in predicting the impacts of climate breakdown. Despite being some of the first places to experience these effects, islands and their communities are often (but not always) resilient in the face of change. On islands, interdependence is seen as a strength, not a weakness.

This story reveals what ‘islandness' can teach us about togetherness and our connection to the natural world in times of upheaval, and what this shows us about meaning in a meaning-starved culture. The film explores identity, community, and spirituality, as well as practical aspects of island life, journeying through an elemental landscape steeped in history, hardship, and wisdom.