The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) charity, the national support hub for 200+ Scottish Shed groups and Scotland’s largest member-led men’s health and wellbeing charity, is supporting the release in Scotland of ‘Silent Men’, a debut feature-length documentary from award-winning Scottish filmmaker Duncan Cowles, with its staff and regional ambassadors being present for post-screening panel discussions at venues across Scotland – when it hits cinemas from the 19th November which coincides with and marks International Men’s Day.
Silent Men is the debut feature documentary by Scottish BAFTA and Royal Television Society Award-winning director Duncan Cowles, known for his numerous short films and TV projects over the last 10 years. The film was produced by Duncan’s own Scottish-based production company Relative Films with support from Screen Scotland and The Whickers and is being distributed in the UK by Cosmic Cat.
Part therapy, part road trip, Silent Men follows Duncan as he tackles the awkward art of expressing emotion. Duncan travels around the country asking men (both loved ones and strangers) how they open up in order to directly address his own difficulties in being intimate and open with his parents, partner and friends. With profound honesty and deadpan wit, Silent Men intertwines candid conversations and the filmmaking process, asking what makes men tick, and more importantly, how to come to terms with all aspects of health, both physical and mental. Exploring elements of men’s lives that are often rarely discussed, Silent Men opens the door for other ways of being, communicating and healing, as well as attempting to define masculinity.
Following its World Premiere at Sheffield Documentary Festival in June 2024, where it was awarded a Special Mention by the jury in the International First Feature Competition, the film will be released in UK cinemas from 19th November on International Men’s Day. Silent Men will partner with leading UK men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club, with special regional screenings across the country introduced by the AMC Area Leader and the chance to chat post-screening at a quiet space with free tea and coffee.
SMSA CEO and founder Jason Schroeder said: “The SMSA is delighted to join men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club to support the release of this thought-provoking and eye-opening film. Members of the SMSA team will be on-hand to answer any questions from the audience after each of the Scottish screenings – in Aberfeldy, Banchory, Cumbernauld, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Montrose, Perth and other to be confirmed venues – and are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of the Scottish Men’s Shed model, its wealth of health and wellbeing benefits for men aged 18+ and to encourage more to ‘Head to the Shed’ to check it out. We urge the public to bring along a friend to see the film, you won’t regret it! Help us reach a wider audience to encourage more men to open up and talk freely. Together, we can change the lives of men for the better.”
Duncan Cowles, Director of Silent Men, said: “I’m really excited that Silent Men will be reaching audiences across the UK and beyond. I started this film back at the end of 2016 and it’s been a long journey with lots of hurdles to get it finished. My hope is that Silent Men resonates with audiences, making them think, smile, talk, and feel a deeper sense of empathy towards one and another. I believe the issues explored in this film affect everyone in some way, and it’s my hope that Silent Men does some good in the world.”
Mark Thomas from Screen Scotland said: “Screen Scotland is proud to have supported Silent Men, Duncan Cowles’ award-winning debut feature documentary. Duncan brings a warmth and sensitivity to the subject matter of male mental health with disarming humour and empathy. Fresh from its success at Sheffield Doc Fest in June, it is fantastic that the film will receive a theatrical run through Cosmic Cat.”
In UK cinemas from 19th November – see Screenings dates and venues and get your tickets at https://silentmenfilm.com/screenings (Run time: 1hr 27 mins)
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