Lindsay Godall und ihre Mutter, Roberta, im Interview mit britspotting Redakteurin Ha Thanh

Lindsay Goodall is the director of IRENE which is shown in britspotting’s Departures/Outcasts series. The director portrays her own grandmother Irene who develops Alzheimer’s disease and is being looked after by her daughter Roberta (Lindsay’s mother). The documentary won the award for Best Short International Documentary at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2009 and was nominated for Best Short Film Documentation at the BAFTA Scotland.

What was it like to turn such a private matter into a film?

Lindsay: It was quite difficult sometimes because I had to make sure I was representing the family in a true light. I didn’t want anybody to be angry with me, I didn’t want to represent my mum for something she wasn’t. But it was also good because I had done 20 years of research with my family before I started filming, so I knew the situation very well and I knew I could speak to my mum about anything.

Roberta: Lindsay also knew a lot about what was going on because I was caring for my mother every day. I used to tell Lindsay the things that she has done, the things that she said, so Lindsay was very well aware of the stage she was up to and the Alzheimer’s progress. Lindsay knew which sort of things would be interested to film. It wasn’t always planned because you can’t plan with my mother, you just come with the camera and film what was happening.

How was it for you to be in your daugher’s film?

Roberta: I was obviously concerned that I didn’t want my mother exploited. I didn’t want her being upset that she was filmed. We asked her if it was okay if Lindsay filmed and she was quite pleased with it. As time went on, she didn’t notice that the camera was there, but there were a couple of times she would ask for the camera to be turned off.

How long did it take you to shoot it?

Lindsay: It took about five months in total.

Are you working on any other projects at the moment?

Lindsay: I am working in production on feature films just now and I got a couple of films which are documentaries where I am going to be producing.

Is there any highlight which you want to see at britspotting?

Lindsay: I would really like to see the Vivienne Dick films. I also really wanted to see SLEEP FURIOUSLY but unfortunately we will be leaving tomorrow afternoon and can’t see it. It’s been at other festivals I have been to and I have always missed it. But I also really liked IN THE LOOP yesterday, it was such a good film to open the festival with. I have never been to a film where everybody was laughing so much. It’s a really nice festival, it has a really nice atmosphere and everyone’s really friendly and I also liked the goodie bags we got!