Darts champ Jocky Wilson was one of Britain's most beloved sportsmen in the 1980s. New film Kirkcaldy Man tells the sad story of his life after the glory years
In some quarters, Jocky Wilson is a living legend. The pudgy ex-miner was twice the world darts champion; his grinning image was once featured on Top of the Pops when Dexy's Midnight Runners performed Jackie Wilson Said. But the glory years at the oche are long forgotten. These days, Wilson is a recluse, living on disability benefits in his home town, Kirkcaldy.
Now a young German film-maker, Julian Schwanitz, has gone on Wilson's trail. Dortmund-raised but Scottish-based, Schwanitz put together his 25-minute film, Kirkcaldy Man, as a graduation project from Edinburgh's College of Art. He says his interest in Wilson grew from two of his own interests: darts, which he played as a kid, and mining, a major industry in the...
In some quarters, Jocky Wilson is a living legend. The pudgy ex-miner was twice the world darts champion; his grinning image was once featured on Top of the Pops when Dexy's Midnight Runners performed Jackie Wilson Said. But the glory years at the oche are long forgotten. These days, Wilson is a recluse, living on disability benefits in his home town, Kirkcaldy.
Now a young German film-maker, Julian Schwanitz, has gone on Wilson's trail. Dortmund-raised but Scottish-based, Schwanitz put together his 25-minute film, Kirkcaldy Man, as a graduation project from Edinburgh's College of Art. He says his interest in Wilson grew from two of his own interests: darts, which he played as a kid, and mining, a major industry in the...
- 11/18/2011
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.