Scottish Premiere

The 2025 edition of the Central Scotland Documentary Festival comes to a close as we welcome director of the acclaimed documentary Bunch of Amateurs, Kim Hopkins, with the Scottish Premiere of her latest film, Still Pushing Pineapples.

What happens when you’ve created the worst hit song ever – at least according to music journalists? What does it mean to grow old still chasing a dream?

Former pop star Dene clings to the remnants of fleeting fame, performing for a dwindling, ageing audience in some of the UK’s most deprived areas. By his side is his biggest fan: his spirited 89-year-old mum.

Across a four-decade long career in an industry that forced him to smile and sing “push pineapple, shake the tree” 10,000 times, Dene – though now a pineapple – never lost his humanity, kindness or hope. Still Pushing Pineapples explores his resilience and the spirit of ordinary working-class people amid a crumbling industrial order.

But who needs an ’80s throwback in a pineapple shirt and oversized red specs, singing a tired pop song? Apparently, many do. Agadoo doo doo.

Q&A
This screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Kim Hopkins and producer Margareta Szabo.