For nearly a century The Macallan has brought its rich history and commitment to quality to passionate admirers, and now it brings it to the screen with a new short film celebrating the life and legacy of one of its most influential figures, Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson.
Acclaimed actress Emily Mortimer plays ‘Nettie’, as the film looks at the life and legacy of The Macallan’s influential managing director who took control of the famed distillery towards the end of the First World War in 1918.
Upon the death of her husband Alexander, she committed herself to keeping the business afloat and rebuilding the local community.
The film depicts Nettie rejecting conventions of her time and doing what she believed was right for the business and her community. In the process, she crafted what would eventually become the most valuable bottle to ever be sold at auction with The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926. The bottle famously fetched £1.5m at Sotheby’s in 2019, while undoubtedly a major component of the legacy she left behind, the film is about much more than that singular achievement.
The project is the culmination of a slew of creative talent coming together to create the brand’s campaign, serving as a unique showcase of the values that have remained central to their mission.
With acclaimed Hollywood director Mike Newell, and award-winning screenwriter Allan Scott, the resulting biopic is an emotional tribute to The Macallan and a joy to watch in its own right. From the costume design to the film’s score, every aspect of the production has been crafted by talent who are the best in class.
Global creative director for The Macallan, Jaume Ferras said: “As a brand with a long Scottish heritage it was important to us to bring together the best of the country’s creative talent – people who are also dedicated to the incomparable creativity and craftsmanship for which The Macallan is renowned…Each of our incredible collaborators have done a magnificent job of bringing to life our vision of Nettie.”
Bombarded with pleas for her to sell the company and relinquish her position, Nettie was put in a position where many would have thrown in the towel. A common sentiment of the time, voiced in the film, is the notion that she was taking on a “man’s job”.
Actress Emily Mortimer, who plays Nettie, said: “The story is all about people finding their vocation in life. It’s really about holding onto the memory of someone that you really love.”
With the attention this story is being given, The Macallan celebrates a history of progressive entrepreneurship that exemplifies the uncompromising dedication the brand has for its craft. Janet Harbinson, through her commitment and relentlessness, personifies the values of The Macallan, and without setting out to do so, made history.
Find more on The Macallan here, or visit here.