100701 Sunday Mail Seven Days

October 7, 2001
Sunday Mail - Seven Days
The Scottish People's Film Festival Special
It's a kind of magic
by Steve Hendry
photos by Alan Simpson and Henry McInnes

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Hibs boss Alex steals the limelight at film's glittering night of the stars

Dougray with Alex McLeish

IT was the moment that had everyone roaring with laughter.

Hibs manager Alex McLeish singing Queen songs with Freddie Mercury impersonator Gary Mullen.

It was also the night Dougray Scott, awarded Scots movie actor of the year, entertained with his impression of Al Pacino.

The closing gala of the Sunday Mail/McEwan's People's Film Festival had stars, cameras and action... but what else would you expect from a celebration of the cinema?

The celebrity-studded evening at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow last week saw Dougray Scott and James Cosmo honoured for their work and more than pounds 20,000 raised for charity.

Braveheart star James spoke emotionally and vowed to try to bring more Scottish films to the screen - starting with his Robert Burns project, Clarinda.

Despite getting the Sunday Mail's lifetime achievement award, the veteran actor promised there was much more to come from him. He said: "I'm having meetings in London all week with various distribution companies, we're working on script re-writes but everything's fine. I'm confident it will reach the screen."

Dougray and wife Sarah

In his smart tuxedo he looked a million miles away from the blood-stained battler Campbell he played in Braveheart.

But the actor - who revealed plans to build a pounds 5 million film studio and Braveheart theme park near Inverness - gave a war cry for our film industry that would have made Wallace proud. He said: "Sean Connery led the way as the archetypal Scot, but over the last ten years a lot of people have come through.

Dougray with mum Marion	"We've got actors of quality and diversity. Bobby Carlyle plays damn near anything and is superb at it. Ewan McGregor is up there as one of the top 10 film stars in the world and there are guys like Dougray coming along who are just tremendous. "These actors are born and bred in Scotland, but their careers are going to get bigger and
they are going to work in the States and all over the world.

Fife-born Enigma star Dougray Scott provided the most moving tribute of the night when he paid a heartfelt thanks to his wife, Sarah.

After receiving his award from McEwan's managing director Jon Gillespie, Dougray told the packed ballroom: "Thank you Sarah and I love you very much. She has given me unconditional support over the years, as have my family, and I thank you." He talked about being inspired by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, but revealed his father was his biggest influence.

"My dad was a salesman. The weight of being a salesman is quite extraordinary. Every day he paid a great deal of attention to his appearance and his job and it is that attention to detail which has got me here today.

"This award means more to me than any other I may win because it is from the people of Scotland."

Dougray congratulates festival organiser Susan Young

Movie buff Alex McLeish said: "It was great to see our film industry being backed by so many big Scots institutions. The impromptu karoake was a lot of fun. I take my turn at these things like everyone else, but it's easier playing football in front of 60,000 fans."

Guests included Scotland boss Craig Brown, BBC presenter Dougie Donnelly, Taggart star Blythe Duff, comedian Fred MacAulay, actor David Hayman, chat show host Elaine C. Smith, and Deacon Blue stars Ricky Ross and his wife Lorraine McIntosh.

They were proud to celebrate the movie Scots who have made us stand out on the world stage.