A DOCUMENTARY critical of Donald Trump and his Aberdeenshire golf resort has become a huge hit in Canada despite being snubbed in Scotland.
You’ve Been Trumped was turned down by the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and refused funding by Creative Scotland.
It has now sold out in cinemas at Canada’s Hot Docs Festival in Toronto and received good reviews from critics.
And director of the film, Anthony Baxter, has accused festival organisers and Creative Scotland of turning their backs on a controversial film because they were not prepared to upset the Scottish Government, which has backed the 1 billion Trump project.
Mr Baxter added:
“By the time it was rejected by the festival it came as no surprise. I have had closed doors everywhere I have gone in Scotland.
“Creative Scotland rejected it on the grounds of audience interest but this has turned out to be the most talked-about film at the biggest documentary festival in the world and it is packing out cinemas. “
The film is an account of the confrontations between Mr Trump and those who opposed his plans.
Mr Trump is shown talking to camera about Michael Forbes, a local quarryman, whose house the businessman failed to purchase.
He says:
“His property is terribly maintained, it’s slum-like, it’s disgusting, he has stuff thrown all over the place, he lives like a pig. “
The film then cuts to Mr Forbes who says:
“It’s my home, I’ve stayed here 43 years. “
And Mr Baxter claimed it was material like this that made film agencies and UK television companies nervous.
He said:
“People like Donald Trump have to be held to account. I heard scientists, including Scotland’s leading expert on climate change, saying building these golf courses on a unique site in Europe was a travesty and a disaster.
“This just wasn’t being reported. There are stories that have to be told. “
James Mullighan, EIFF’s director, said the festival had received more than 3,000 submissions for this year’s event, adding it was not possible to screen everything.
A spokesman for Creative Scotland said:
“Initially we were keen to support the project but without any other investor or broadcaster involved, we couldn’t be the sole investor. “
