Stirling’s Oscar star Lesley Paterson this week delivered an uplifting assembly to pupils at her former primary school in the city.
Screenwriter Lesley last week told how just being nominated was “a dream come true”.
She was one of the screen writers for the Netflix war epic All Quiet on the Western Front which was nominated for nine awards.
The movie ultimately claimed four awards – including Best International Feature Film.
Lesley this week gave a little bit back to the community she grew up in when she made a virtual visit to pupils at Allan’s Primary, where she attended as a child.
The 42-year-old urged youngsters from the school to dream big and never give up on their ambitions.
Lesley, who also attended Stirling High, promised the Allan’s pupils she would chat and take part in a Q&A after they sent her a good luck message ahead of the biggest event in the movie calendar earlier this month.
She joined P5-P7 pupils on a Google Meet from her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon as she recalled the journey to bring the book she first read as a schoolgirl in Stirling to the big screen.
Lesley, who is also a multiple world champion triathlete, may have missed out on an Oscar for best adapted screenplay, but the four awards the film did scoop made it the most successful Netflix movie ever at the Academy Awards.
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Lesley told the pupils: “A lot of people in my life have told me: ‘You can’t do that, you aren’t good enough, don’t bother trying’.
“But if you are really passionate and have a dream about something and you really want to do it, then follow that dream, no matter what. Just keep going. I’m still in touch with some of the best friends I made at Allan’s and we had some amazing teachers. Hopefully next time I’m in Scotland I’ll come and visit you at the school – and keep telling stories.”
Allan’s Primary headteacher Lindsey Howland added: “Lesley promised the children she would join them for an assembly – and she was as good as her word. She has been such an inspiration to the children and her messages of resilience and never giving up have really struck a chord with the pupils.
“Lesley has displayed hard work, perseverance, discipline and creativity throughout her career and these are attributes that resonate with the children.”
Cllr Danny Gibson, Convenor of the Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, added: “Lesley is another wonderful Stirling success story.
“Her determination and never-say-die attitude in the worlds of sport and cinema are a fantastic example to pupils across Stirling about achieving their full potential.
“We thank her for taking the time and sharing her fabulous story with our young people.”
Lesley co-wrote the screenplay alongside Edward Berger and Ian Stokell. It was released on Netflix last October and was directed by Edward Berger and stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel Brühl, Sebastian Hülk, Aaron Hilmer, Edin Hasanovic and Devid Striesow.
Speaking to the Observer last week, Lesley said winning the Best International Film was “incredible”, adding: “Being nominated is just crazy. Totally wild. It’s kind of like a dream come true. Obviously we wanted to win Best Adapted Screenplay and that was bitterly disappointing so we’ve got mixed emotions of being happy but also being disappointed all at the same time.”
She continued: “I don’t think any of it has sunk in. It’s just been such a whirlwind and it’s tough to put in to words and now it’s a case of this has opened the door to our career and now we’re ready to jump in and get going.
“The support from Stirling has been incredible. How lovely (it has been) to hear from Allan’s Primary, Stirling High, lots of friends, lots of family. It just makes me want to come home and see everyone. We will be home in the summer and hopefully we can catch up with everyone.
“If you have a dream, go for it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re from a small town in Scotland or not, just chase after it and never, ever give up.”
Lesley grew up in Clarendon Place, King’s Park, before later living in Bridge of Allan when her parents owned the Old Manor Hotel.
During her formative years in Stirling the former Allan’s Primary pupil developed a passion for sport, and grew up playing rugby for Stirling County before going on to join Stirling Triathlon Club.
