Occupation residents get exclusive film viewing

Saturday 14 April 2018

Some of the island's most senior residents got an exclusive chance to view the new Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie film at the Mallard on Friday.

Along with a brief talk from film producer Paula Mazur and co-author Annie Barrows and a viewing of a mini-documentary made by StudioCanal about the Occupation, the main screen at the Mallard was filled with people keen to compare it with their memories.

Coming out of the viewing afterwards, there were mixed reactions about the historical accuracy and how well the Occupation and the island were represented, but seemingly everyone agreed the film as a standalone product was excellent.

"It was really very good, because I was there at the time it really brought back memories," Daphne Froome, 92, said.

"I think it represented the island at the time very well. I haven't read the book but I am certainly going to now."

The attendees were also treated to a light lunch before the viewing courtesy of the Arts Foundation Guernsey, who organised the event.

"It was a very good I thought, though it was a shame they didnt have more of the real Guernsey to make it bring back k more memories," Bobby Scott, 92, added.

Two other women who watched the film said they found the lack of Guernsey filming to be slightly jarring - they wished to remain anonymous but said as people who were on the island during the Occupation, they found seeing sight supposed to be the island but were not detracted from their experience.

"I think it was a good film, but I think those that dont have real memories of the occupation might enjoy it more than us," one of them said.