PRESS RELEASE

The Luttrell Psalter; you've read the book, now see the film!

The world première of the Luttrell Psalter Film and launch of the accompanying exhibition will be held at The Collection in Lincoln on Friday 16^th May from 7pm.

This short film is based on the illustrations of everyday life in the 14^th c. from the world famous Luttrell Psalter. The Luttrell Psalter was made for Sir Geoffrey Luttrell of Irnham in Lincolnshire and is famous for its depiction of ordinary people. It is a remarkable and precious part of Lincolnshire's heritage.

The film is a community-wide collaboration led by WAG Screen community group (a branch of Washingborough Archaeology Group). It is sponsored by local businesses and universities and involves over one hundred local specialists, craftspeople and performers. It is very much the product of two local degrees; Media Production (The University of Lincoln) and Heritage Studies (Bishop Grosseteste University College), and both faculties have been extremely supportive.

The film has taken almost two years to make and the small dedicated team of graduates have worked full time and unpaid for the duration. It has been made on a cash budget of around £10,500, but with a great deal of support from local people - one company has allowed them to use two fully-equipped offices free of charge. They have even resorted to a medieval bargaining system of exchange of trades; their harrow, for example, cost two hand made Tudor shirts!

They have found the experience extraordinary; they have had to overcome awful unseasonal weather, limited funds, sick actors (people and animals) and other unexpected disasters. They have, however, met so many wonderful people and had so much support and goodwill that that experience far outweighs any of the problems they have met. They have searched out and found the local specialists they needed – often in the most unexpected places. The experimental archaeology they have undertaken has at times been ground breaking (literally). They have recorded music from the Psalter which has not been played for over 600 years. They have been involved with the Time Team, and Terry Jones (Monty Python) has become the film's patron. They have also gathered an internet following and now have considerable international interest their film.

WAG Screen's intention, apart from making a short film to inspire an interest in Lincolnshire's medieval history and heritage, was to stimulate the development of a local film heritage industry to create jobs and opportunities for the very talented graduates and undergraduates from the two universities. They do hope that this is the start of something much bigger.

For more, please contact Pauline Loven at WAG Screen: 01522 833265