Caton-Jones’s most recent film in Scotland was Our Ladies, based on the Alan Warner novel The Sopranos about a school choir on a day trip from Oban and although he still has plenty of ideas, the industry has changed since he first arrived there.
“At the moment, I’m in what’s called development hell,” he says. “So I have many projects that I’m trying to push forward.
“It’s a period of flux for the film business. I made films in the studio system, and that’s kind of gone now.”
For now, the film he’s most interested in is the one they’re making about his own story, which will hopefully be released next year, alongside an exhibition devoted to his story at the Broxburn Strathbrock Partnership.
And while he’s still a little sheepish about the attention being lavished on him, he’s coming round to the idea.
“I am part of the history of this place,” he says. “And if I can encourage some kid sitting in a council house who thinks their life is not going to amount to much, I am absolute proof positive that you can.”