• Source: The List (Issue 650)
• Date: 18 February 2010
• Written by: Anna Millar

As Fife prepares to celebrate one of its finest talents, Anna Millar finds Richard Jobson in fine fettle

Here in Scotland, we love a tale of the local boy doing good, and musician-turned-writer and film-maker Richard Jobson has done just that. A former member of punk band, The Skids, Jobson often sets his scene – whether it be his music, photography, film or music – against the backdrop of his native Scotland.

So with Fife celebrating its cultural identity this year with a series of events, Jobson seemed an obvious choice with which to kick off proceedings. Dunfermline’s illustrious son has curated a special programme of events, complete with special guests; and audiences can enjoy plenty of firsts, with Robson presenting new exhibitions of his photographs, as well as workshops and discussions.

‘It’s that funny thing, that Fife has always been sort of overlooked as a cultural hub, which is strange considering the extraordinary things that have come out if it,’ says Jobson.

Largely set at Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre, Jobson and Fife Council will start proceedings with Inspiration Day (Tue 2 Mar), an incentive designed to provide workshops to kids from deprived areas, who are interested in writing, film, production and editing. Later in the week, fellow Fifer Ian Rankin will put him through his paces with a Q&A before the premiere of his new short film The Journey, a project with Emma Thompson about the brutal realities of Sex Trafficking.

Never one for a quiet life, Jobson will also be planning the follow up to his Edinburgh-based New Town Killers while he’s there; Into the Valley, named after the Skids’ song, tells the story of a soldier’s return from Afghanistan to Fife and stars some of the cast from Killers. He’s also planning, he admits, on taking a couple of cameramen with him, and shooting what he refers to as a ‘meditation on Fife’ for a couple of days. ‘At heart I still feel sixteen,’ the 49-year old says with a smile. ‘I love what I do, and I’m delighted to celebrate in the place I came from. You can’t ask for more than that.’

The ode to Jobson comes to a close with a live performance from The Skids (6 Mar) at the Alhambra. See www.fifedirect.org.uk/2010 for more.