'Filmed during the extended lockdown period – between March 2020 and May 2021 – in and around Govan, Glasgow, Icarus (after Amelia) is a quasi-anthropological study of female labour in contemporary Britain. Against the backdrop of a pandemic which has exacerbated gender inequality, Margaret Salmon uses feminist economic theory to draw attention to gender disparities in waged and unpaid labour – and more broadly to the gendered bias of traditional economic principles. Salmon’s 35mm film portraits of a range of settings including a dentist’s practice, a food bank, a hairdresser’s, a playground, and homes combine the rigour of sociological observation and the intimacy of a closeness to her subjects and subject matter. Inhabited by the spirit of Amelia Earhart, the film is punctuated with images of flight. On its dreamy soundtrack we hear Tracyanne Campbell and Donna Maciocia sing “We are going to make it in a man’s world,” almost like a mantra.' (Open City Documentary Festival program blurb, 2021)
The film was partially commissioned by Chapter Thirteen and Glasgow International Across the City fund, as well as through an artists grant from Creative Scotland. It originally showed as part of a group exhibition during GI 2021, Home Economics.
It had an acclaimed theatrical World Premiere as the Opening Night of the Open City Documentary Festival in Sept.2021 where it was awarded the Open City Award for feature length films. It was then featured in the Cinema of Ideas (Independent Cinema Office) online platform and has been screened at LA Film Forum as well as the European Media Art Festival, 2022. The film features contributions from the writer Maria Fusco, feminist economist Dr.Sara Cantillon as well as a host of businesses, charities and individuals in Goven Glasgow.
