Monday 18 July 2016

'Apologies': New Blacklist Short Film

'Apologies' a new short film by Lucy Parker
Jerwood Studio, 171 Union Street, Bankside, London, SE1 0LN
Preview Tuesday 26th July 1830 - 2030, exhibition continues to 28th August. 


 As part of the Blacklist film project being produced by City Projects, Lucy Parker is presenting a new 14 minute film about legal apologies, made for Jerwood Visual Arts.

 'Should we just do away with apologies all together?' political theorist Dr Mihaela Mihai asks a law school class. The group discusses the worth of apologies when delivered by a collective to an individual. Two blacklisted construction workers, Stephen Kennedy and Jack Fawbert join the session as ‘case studies’ for the group to understand how they felt about the public apology they received from the companies responsible for their blacklisting.

 This work is part of ongoing research towards a longer film, about the experiences of construction workers whose employers made use of a blacklist, which kept a record of an individual’s political activity at and outside of work. Since the files were discovered in 2009 the workers have been seeking justice. The workers have recently received compensation payments from firms however the significance of the apology is tempered by the lack of legislative change or a criminal trial, and therefore by the threat that the practice of blacklisting will continue.

Participants: Samuel Bikwa, Jack Fawbert, Van Ferguson, Mariam Juliane Sieben, Stephen Kennedy, Shajahan Miah, Dr Mihaela Mihai, Louise Mai Newberry, Jonathan Thorpe. Camera: Nick Gordon Smith. Camera (interviews): Barbara Nicholls. Sound: James Bull.

http://www.jerwoodvisualarts.org/exhibitions/jerwood-solo-presentations/


Fundraising Campaign

City Projects is now fundraising for Blacklist in order to complete the film in 2017 and get it out to the widest possible audience. We have been awarded funding from Arts Council England and are looking for donations to raise the shortfall.

The film will combine discussions and scripted drama - a group of blacklisted workers share their experience of being blacklisted and reflect on the legal campaign; student electricians debate the pro’s and con’s of speaking out at work with their (blacklisted) tutor; and student lawyers discuss the failings of the legal system in protecting workers rights. The three groups will come together at the end of the film in a court room scene, to give the final word to the blacklisted workers. The film will bring the construction industry blacklist to the public attention, and act as a cautionary tale for employees of all industries.

It will be shown widely at cinema screenings, community events, art galleries and film festivals and made freely available to campaigning groups. The film is due for completion by the end of 2017 when there will be a special screening to thank all donors.

Please visit the website to make a donation:

www.blacklistfilm.co.uk 

Best wishes,

Kate Parker
…………………………………………………….
City Projects
www.cityprojects.org
www.blacklistfilm.co.uk

0781 306 2595

City Projects is an Industrial and Provident Society (for the benefit of the community). Registration no. 29667R.

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