Bill Douglas: My Best Friend (2023)

Plot Summary

The story of the extraordinary friendship between Scottish film maker Bill Douglas and his lifelong companion and collaborator Peter Jewell. Bill Douglas was Scotland’s finest director, celebrated by the likes of Lynne Ramsay, Lenny Abrahamson, Satajit Ray and Yuliya Solntseva. Bill’s life was turned around in the Egyptian desert when during National Service he met the man who would become his lifelong friend, Peter Jewell. The two men had very different backgrounds but they formed a unique bond that channelled a tremendous creative energy. In this film Peter reminisces about the life he shared with Bill in their tiny Soho flat filled with cinema memorabilia. Their shared love of the movies lead them to start experimenting with an 8mm camera. Peter’s memories and musings about the legacy Bill left behind are illustrated with these never-before-seen short films.

Full Cast & Characters

Peter Jewell

Self

Lynne Ramsay

Self

Lenny Abrahamson

Self

Alex Norton

Self

Kenny Munro

Self

Mick Audsley

Self

David Brown

Self

Dr. Phil Wickham

Self

Brian Cox

Narrator (voice)

Bill Douglas

Self (archive footage)

Director & Crew

Where to Watch Bill Douglas: My Best Friend Online

Frequently Asked Questions