Stanley and his Daughters


Wonderful documentary shown at ArtFix in Woolwich as part of the Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival.

The film had been made a few years ago and followed the two daughters of Stanley Spencer, Unity and Shirin, in old age and interspersed footage of them with an older documentary about their father from the 1970s. The sisters were filmed as Unity moved from her home of 40 years in Clapham to move in with her son John in Wales and at the same time Shirin moved in too.

The film told the story of the marriage of Stanley and his wife Hilda Carline and the effect of their divorce and his remarriage to Patricia Preece on the children. The film was very moving and a wonderful study of old age as well as telling their story.

It was particularly fascinating to have John Spencer, Unity’s son, at the showing although, as his mother had died since the film was made, he didn’t appear until the end as I’m sure it would have been hard for him to watch. We also had the producers, editor and director present and it was fascinating to hear them discuss how the film was made and why certain decisions were made. A magical evening.

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