Jono McLeod

My Old School

BBC Scotland

BBC Scotland - My Old School

The story of Scotland's most notorious impostor.

The story of Scotland's most notorious impostor. A 16-year-old boy is the new kid at school and becomes a model pupil - until he is unmasked.

In 1993, 16-year-old Brandon Lee enrolled at Bearsden Academy, a secondary school in a well-to-do suburb of Glasgow. What followed over the next two years would become the stuff of legend.

Brandon had been privately tutored in Canada while he accompanied his mother - an opera diva - on tour before her tragic death. The preternaturally bright student surprised teachers by blazing toward his goal of entering medical school, displaying a wealth of knowledge beyond his years. Brandon found friends despite his initial awkwardness and took bullied students under his wing. He introduced classmates to seminal retro bands and even starred in the school's production of South Pacific - until his unbelievable secret was revealed.

Film-maker Jono McLeod explores the strange story of Brandon Lee. Utilising playful, period-specific animation, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, the memories of students and teachers, and the talents of Alan Cumming and Lulu to bring the tale to life, this documentary offers more than one surprise along the way and finally reveals the truth behind one of the most incredible stories of the past 30 years.

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