Allen Moore, a Baltimore‑born ethnographic filmmaker who got his start at Harvard, is heading back to Berneray, a remote island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, for a special double screening. The event, scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Charles Theatre, will feature his award‑winning 1981 documentary The Shepherds of Berneray and a new follow‑up titled Returning to Berneray.
From a year‑long immersion to a modern remake
Moore and his late colleague Jack Shea spent 11 months over a year‑and‑a‑half on Berneray in 1980‑81, living among crofters and lobster fishermen. Their original film captured the island’s traditional crofting lifestyle and the thriving lobster trade that made boat owners “rich men” on the island. The footage, shot on 16‑mm film, earned awards after its U.S. release and helped launch Moore’s career, which later included work for Ken Burns and a teaching position at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
For the new film, Moore returned to the island to catch up with the people he first filmed, including a young lobsterman now owning his own boat. He also restored the original 16‑mm reels, digitizing them in ultra‑high definition, so modern audiences can see the island as it was half a century ago.
Why the story matters to Baltimore
Moore’s deep ties to Baltimore—where he studied at Gilman and now teaches at MICA—highlight the city’s tradition of producing filmmakers who engage in immersive, community‑focused storytelling. The screenings give local audiences a chance to experience a rare example of ethnographic cinema that bridges past and present, tradition and technology.
“I love the people on the island,” Moore said in a recent interview. “After 1981 I went back to the U.S., built a career, but every few years I felt called to return and reconnect.” His dedication mirrors the commitment of Baltimore’s own journalists and artists who spend months documenting the city’s neighborhoods and cultures.
The New/Next Film Festival, which showcases innovative local and international work, will host the double feature as part of its effort to bring diverse cultural experiences to Baltimore residents.
Tickets are available through the Charles Theatre box office and online. The event promises a unique glimpse into a disappearing way of life and a celebration of Baltimore’s own storytelling heritage.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
