A feature film based on the inspirational true story of a deaf north-east cyclist who rode into the Arctic Circle will begin shooting soon, following a successful fundraising drive.
Film-makers are determined to complete the low-budget production by next summer, which will mark the 60th anniversary of Cairnbulg man James Duthie’s epic journey.
Armed with only a few jumpers, a simple tent and £12 in cash, the factory worker – who was deaf and could not speak – cycled from his home on the Aberdeenshire coast through Scandinavia and into the frozen north.
Mr Duthie died in a road accident in the mid-1960s.
Award-winning Edinburgh-based film-maker Matt Hulse has been working on bringing the story to the big screen since 2007.
His script for Dummy Jim – the nickname by which Mr Duthie was affectionally known – is based on the journal that the cyclist kept during his trip and which he went on to sell door-to-door around Fraserburgh.
Mr Hulse said enough money had been raised to begin shooting the first scenes. The crew is planning to film for three days in a “mountainous region”, although the exact location is being kept a secret.
Money was raised through donations, as well as sales of Dummy Jim badges, postcards and the film’s soundtrack by The One Ensemble and Sarah Kenchington.
Fundraising will continue with an ambitious cycle.
Next month, Glasgow-based musicians Olly Rundell and Alex South will retrace key stretches of Mr Duthie’s original route, from Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden and crossing into the Arctic Circle, just north of Overtornea on the Swedish-Finnish border. They will then pedal on to the North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe.
Mr Hulse said: “The Arctic Cycle 2010 project represents our final big fundraising push.
“We are aiming to raise £5,000.”
He said the money would be equally split between the film and the National Deaf Children’s Society, which will put the cash towards drama workshops.
Specially made tea towels are also being sold to finance the movie. Mr Hulse said: “I recently learned that Mr Duthie sold his wee book door-to-door around the Broch to raise money for future trips.
“Our approach to funding our film is similar.”
Sam Dore, who recently appeared in BBC2’s drama Switch, has been confirmed for the title role.
The film-makers are also trying to achieve a tiny carbon footprint by using clockwork cameras and cycle-powered generators where possible.
For more details on the film, visit Dummy Jim’s website and, to help fund next month’s cycle challenge, go to ollyandalex.com.
(Jamie Buchan 2010)
Tags: Jamie Buchan, Press & Journal
