LA Times & The Macallan Present 'The Spirit of 1926', a screening + Q&A

Los Angeles Times in partnership with The Macallan presents an evening celebrating female empowerment across multiple industries. Featuring a live screening of "The Spirit of 1926," learn about the history of the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at an auction. This short film showcases quiet heroism in action, and one woman's conviction in doing the right thing. Screening to be followed by a very special Q&A with guest panelists Christina Milian, Nikki Reed, & Catherine Hardwicke

Date: February 21, 2022

Time: 6:30 PM doors, 7:00 PM Screening begins with Q&A to follow

Location: Neuehouse Hollywood, 6121 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

VIP ticket guests must be age 21 and over to attend

IMPORTANT NOTE: This free RSVP does not guarantee a spot in the theatre. Please arrive early as the event is first come, first served.

About The Macallan's The Spirit of 1926:

Janet Isabella Harbinson, fondly known as ‘Nettie’, was a woman guided by conviction and a belief in doing the next right thing. She was fundamentally driven by this principle – especially when presented with a choice. Without setting out to do so, she crafted the most valuable single bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction; The Macallan 1926. By doing the next right thing for herself and the community around her – she unconsciously made history. It is this quiet heroism which makes Janet’s story one worth telling.

Nettie's story drew an impressive list of collaborators including lead actress Emily Mortimer, film director Mike Newell, and script writer Allan Schiach (alias name Allan Scott), who not only was the Managing Director of The Macallan for 18 years, his great aunt was Nettie Harbinson, the heroine of the film. The film narrative is woven together by the hero song composed and recorded by Simple Minds, and costumes are by fashion designer Christopher Kane. We worked with our partner Bentley Motors to bring the story to life further, featuring a genuine Bentley Speed Six motor car from the era. 

Meet Nettie:

Records show Janet was a well-educated woman and philanthropist. She was the daughter of Roderick Kemp, who owned The Macallan from 1892-1909, the man widely considered to be the architect of The Macallan’s rise to prominence outside Scotland.

Janet’s husband, Alexander Harbinson, managed the business in the years preceding her late father. It was upon Alexander’s passing, Janet was faced with the choice to run her family business or to sell and she took the opportunity with both hands. She hired the best advisors and invested cautiously, yet wisely, to keep the business afloat and in turn help rebuild the local community.

The needs of the community were always front of mind, with Janet using her role to find more opportunities for international export, and looking after the war widows who remained her employees, ensuring that their futures would be protected. 

More details about Nettie and The Spirit of 1926 can be found here

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