See life on the Isle 800 years ago!A remarkable film will be screened in Broadstairs on Feb 7th showing Thanet in the grip of the catastrophic plague known as the Black Death.
Set in 1348, the film tells the story of a medieval Thanet village, the people who live in it and the shocking impact the plague has on their lives.
Shot on location in Thanet, using a cast featuring many local people, the film vividly recreates the life of the period, including attitudes to women and the central role of religion.
Producer Norman Thomas said: “The film was based on extensive research into the period, but the thing that really brings it to life is the contribution of the local people.
“We explained to them what the plague would have been like and asked them to imagine what it would have meant to them, to see relatives and loved ones die, and to increasingly realise that they could do nothing about it.
“Our local “actors” really rose to the challenge and this gives rise to some truly moving moments.”
There are few written records of the impact of the Black Death on Thanet, but it is known that most of the people in the village of Acol died in the plague. The village was burnt to the ground in an attempt to stop the disease spreading.
The film also illustrates the weird and wonderful approach to health and medicine of the time. Mr Thomas said: “One of the strongest beliefs was in bleeding people to cure them. But there were many other odd ideas – for example, they thought goat’s droppings could cure gout or that wearing a toad around your neck would help cure internal bleeding.”
Based on a series of educational films made in 2002, “Thanet & The Black Death” is produced by the same people who made the much-acclaimed “Thanet On Film”, which featured footage of Thanet from the 1920s to the present days.
Originally intended for a single showing in November, “Thanet On Film” has been sold out every week since and is still showing at Broadstairs’ Palace Cinema every Sunday. Mr Thomas said: “Our previous screening was Thanet On Film, this is Medieval Thanet On Film. We hope people will be as interested in what was happening here 800 years ago as they are in Thanet 80 years ago!”
The film will be shown for one day only on Sunday at 5pm, on February 7. To book to see the film ring the Palace Cinema on 01843 865726.
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