My Old School

The core events unfold in the 1970s, focusing on a mature man returning to secondary school under an alias. The narrative uses interviews and period details from that era to reconstruct memories, while contemporary footage reflects on the lasting impact of the deception.

The film centers on Bearsden in Scotland, where MacKinnon attends school as a man, and later references the University of Dundee where he attempts medical studies. Interwoven with scenes that recreate Bearsden classrooms, the setting uses the Scottish suburb and its school culture to explore identity and belonging. The Dundee medical school appears as a key backdrop, signaling the protagonist's pursuit of medicine amid a smaller-town environment.

🎭 Identity

The central deception—posing as a young student while being an adult—drives the plot and invites questions about who we are. The film probes how identity is performed, observed, and later confronted by peers and teachers. It also examines the tension between intellect and social belonging.

📰 Media

As the truth emerges, the media coverage magnifies the story, turning private life into public spectacle. The film uses interviews and news clips to show how sensational reporting shapes memory and judgment. It also comments on the ethics of witness storytelling.

✊🏿 Racism

The narrative includes a Black pupil who experiences racism and violence at school, juxtaposed with Brandon's complicated social status. This contrast highlights class and race dynamics within the school environment. The story frames resilience and solidarity in the face of prejudice.

⏳ Memory vs Truth

The film explores how memories, testimonies, and records collide as classmates and teachers recount events. The audience is drawn into the uncertainty of what actually happened, especially as later revelations reinterpret earlier scenes. The sense of truth evolves as new details come to light.