One of the most talked-about documentaries upon its world premeire at Sundance, My Old School is receiving a U.S. theatrical release through Magnolia Pictures starting Friday, July 22.
Directed by Jono McLeod (Being Stavros) and starring Alan Cumming, Clare Grogan and Lulu (who performs the title song), the film tells the story of a star student at a posh Scottish school who is much more than he appears, related through a mix of live interviews, archival footage and animation. McLeod described the 2D augmentation as a way to “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.”
We’re chuffed to present an exclusive clip, courtesy of our friends at Magnolia Pictures, in celebration of the movie’s release. Buckle up!
Synopsis: In 1993, 16-year-old Brandon Lee enrolled at Bearsden Academy, a secondary school in a well-to-do suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. What followed over the next two years would become the stuff of legend. Brandon had been privately tutored in Canada while he accompanied his mother, an opera diva, on tour before her tragic death. The preternaturally bright student surprised teachers by blazing toward his goal of entering medical school, displaying a wealth of knowledge beyond his years. Brandon found friends despite his initial awkwardness, taking bullied students under his wing, introducing classmates to seminal retro bands, and even starring in the school‘s production of South Pacific. But then his unbelievable secret was revealed.
Filmmaker Jono McLeod returns to his old school for a nostalgic look at the strange but true story of his former classmate, Brandon Lee. Utilizing playful, period-specific animation, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, the memories of students and teachers, and the talents of Alan Cumming to bring the tale to life, My Old School offers more than one surprise along the way.
Produced by Hopscotch Films, the film is written, directed and executive produced by McLeod, produced by John Archer and Olivia Lichtenstein, with Clara Glynn and Mark Thomas as executive producers. The animation was overseen by creative director Rory Lowe and art director scott Morriss of Wild Child Animation (The Brilliant World of Tom Gates) in Stirling, Scotland.
You can watch trailer for My Old School here, learn more and get tickets at myoldschoolfilm.com.
