Our Fathers
Documentary
BBC Scotland / Creative Scotland
Scottish Documentary Institute
Acquired by True Story
30 mins
In 2015 the Bishop of Aberdeen wrote to the Bishop of Aba in Nigeria with an urgent request – do you have any spare priests?
Father Maximilian Nwosu and Father James Anyaegbu are the answer: two Nigerians sent on a mission to serve the Scottish Highlands.
But from preaching to packed congregations back home, they find the Highlands scattered with empty, closing churches and an ageing population. Based in Inverness-shire, they drive relentlessly from one remote church to another trying to keep a feeling of community alive.
Will their good humour and Igbo songs make a difference?
Commissioned by BBC Scotland and Creative Scotland, and produced by the Scottish Documentary Institute, "Our Fathers" premiered at the 2020 Glasgow Film Festival, was broadcast on BBC Scotland in Spring 2020, opened the Lusaka International Film Festival (Zambia) in 2021 and has now been acquired by True Story.
Press
inews - "The remarkable relationship between the two young men and their largely elderly flock is at the heart of Our Fathers"
The Independent - BBC film Our Fathers features two Nigerian priests sent to the Scottish Highlands due to staff shortages in the Catholic Church.
The Scotsman - Documentary tells story of how Nigerian priests adapted to life in Scottish Highlands.
BBC - BBC Scotland to showcase top film festival documentaries.
Written and Directed by Zoe Hunter Gordon and Kieran Hennigan
Director of Photography: Thomas Hogben
Editor: Erika Iesse
Additional Camera: Kieran Hennigan and Zoe Hunter Gordon
Sound: Zoe Hunter Gordon and Kieran Hennigan
Colourist & Online Editor: Harrison Jacobs
Sound Designer & Dubbing Mixer: Tom Drew
Production Manager: Naomi Spiro
Production Co-ordinator: Rachel Stollery
Executive Producer for Screen Scotland: Leslie Finlay
Executive Producer for BBC Scotland: Steve Allen
Produced by Noé Mendelle
