Gerry’s ‘love letter’ to Derry to be screened across city

A film written and narrated by the late Derry broadcaster Gerry Anderson will be screened in five community venues across the city from next week. “A City Dreaming” will shown from November 17 – 26 as part of BFI and Film Hub NI’s Britain on Film season, in association with the Nerve Centre and Foyle Film Festival. The film was described by the popular BBC presenter (pictured), who died in August last year (aged 69) after a lengthy illness, as his “love letter” to the city. The feature-length documentary is a series of personal and intimate recollections of Derry and its people. Using unseen archive and home movie footage, it is a story that weaves its way through half a century of history, told though the eyes of Gerry Anderson. The narrative moves from the 1940s to the late 60s, during a time that saw the city rise from poverty and neglect, to hitting headlines across the world. It focuses on the warmth of a people who, despite living in relative poverty, maintained tremendous spirit and generosity. All of the screenings are free and will take place in the following venues: Tuesday 17 November @ 7pm: St. Brigid’s College Wednesday 18 November @ 11.30am: Irish Street Community Centre, Waterside Thursday 19 November @ 12pm: Hillcrest House, Gobnascale Thursday 19 November @ 7pm: The Hive, Rath Mor Centre Thursday 26 November @ 2pm: Rosemount Factory The film was directed by Derry-born and BAFTA award-winning Mark McCauley and produced by Chris Martin and Andrew Eaton. Speaking last year at the Foyle Film Festival’s special screening in the Guildhall, Mark said: “Gerry was so proud of this work. It was a great pleasure spending time with him creating this film. Even whilst he was not in good health he showed incredible strength, passion and commitment. I hope people take the opportunity to come out and see this film.” The Foyle Film Festival runs from November 18 – 22. Tickets for all events and screenings are now available from www.foylefilmfestival.org.