Hidden Gifts is a creative documentary that explores the mystery of art and mental illness.
It tells the story of Angus MacPhee, “the quiet big man” from
South Uist,
who wove clothes from grass. Diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1946 Angus
was taken from his island home on South Uist to Craig Dunain psychiatric
hospital among the hills near Inverness in the Scottish highlands.
For fifty years he spoke not a single word to any member of the hospital
staff. His presence was also an absence; his secret grass weaving his
only form of expression.
Made in association with Grampian Television (Scotland), YLE (Finland), Scottish Screen National Lottery Fund, ZDF/3sat (Germany), VPRO (the Netherlands) and SVT (Sweden).