About 15 years ago LeftPress screened Ken Loach’s ‘Days of Hope which ends with the 1926 Miners Strike. Ken Loach has made many political films including ‘September 11, 1973’ about the military coup in Chile. My favourite overtly political film of his was ‘Land and Freedom’ about the Spanish Civil War. His major releases have included the beautiful film ‘Kees’. After a life of making great films Loach finally received acceptance from his peers at Cannes last year.
The State Library is going to screen ‘Days of Hope’ again.
HERE IS THE SLQ (BBC)’S SYNOPSIS AND SCREENING TIMES
Originally televised on the BBC during September-October 1975 and subsequently on the ABC, the controversial four part mini series Days of Hope, covers the period from the Great War to the General Strike of 1926. A legacy of a vanished era of radical television drama on the Beeb, the series remains an enduring memory shared by many who saw it.
Produced by Tony Garnett, written by socialist Jim Allen and directed by Ken Loach, Days of Hope seems destined never to be released on DVD. These screenings may be the only opportunity to see the series while the 30 year old 16mm prints held in the National Film & Video Lending Collection (now in the National Film & Sound Archive) are still in screenable condition. For comparison each episode of Days of Hope will be followed by an episode of approximately 50 mins. from the popular tv series set in a London household at the same ‘moments’ in history.
Note 1.30 starting times.
1916: Joining Up
(GB 1975 99 mins) U15
Philip Hargreaves, a conscientious objector, is arrested and sent to France where he continues to refuse to obey orders. His wife Sarah works for an anti-war cause. His brother Ben enlists and is sent to Ireland. Followed by 50 min episode as indicated above.
When Sun 4 Apr, 1.30pm
Where slq Auditorium 2, level 2
FREE No booking required
1921: Lockout
(GB 1975 103 mins) U15
Ben Hargreaves is sent with his regiment to the Durham coalfields where miners have been locked out of the pits because they refuse to accept wage cuts. He deserts and then stays to help the strikers when they decide to fight back. Followed by 50 min episode as indicated above.
When Sun 11 Apr, 1.30pm
Where: slq Auditorium 2, level 2
FREE No booking required
1924: The First Labour Government
(GB 1975 77 mins) U15
Philip Hargreaves is elected to parliament as a Labour MP in a minority government, and finds the realities of politics are not what he had imagined. Ben, radicalised by his experiences, joins the Communist Party. Followed by 50 min episode as indicated above.
When Sun 18 Apr 1.30pm
Where slq Auditorium 2, level 2
FREE No booking required
1926: The General Strike *
(GB 1975 132 mins) U15
Scrupulously researched by Jim Allen, this is a blow by blow account of what happened behind the closed doors of Downing Street and the Trade Union Congress headquarters during the ten days of the great strike led by revolutionary elements in the trade union movement. Political tensions find personal expression in conflicts between members of the Hargreaves and Matthews families. Followed by 50 min episode as indicated above.
When Sun 25 Apr, 1.30pm
Where slq Auditorium 2, level 2
FREE No booking required
“I thought the GOMA exhibit from North Korea was very good and urge people to go and see it. I liked the meaning given to work that is not appreciated under our alienating system of production.”
I heartily concur, such wonderful paintings, prints and mosaics.
I love the huge painting of the people going to work in the snow. The exhibition is closing soon, maybe you could give it a plug with a post on the main page, it would be a pity if people missed out on seeing these artworks.
Marty
See http://workersbushtelegraph.com.au/2010/03/10/people-going-to-work-%E2%80%94-munsudae-art-studio-exhibition-at-goma/
I thought the GOMA exhibit from North Korea was very good and urge people to go and see it. I liked the meaning given to ‘work’ (our labour) that is not appreciated under the alienating system of production here in Australia and elswhere.
It would have been better if the artists had been allowed to describe their work. They put so much life and fresh perspective into it…so much hard work only to be shunned by Australia’s federal government.
Ian Curr
Mar 2010
Hello
It would be intetresting to see a post on the Nth Korean art exhibition at GOMA
Negotiating North Korea’s involvement has taken five years, and artists were to be in Brisbane for the opening. However, their visas have been denied by the Federal Government. The Department of Foreign Affairs says the ban is in response to North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. It’s implemented on a case by case basis by the Minister, Stephen Smith, who has determined that “The North Korean artists invited to attend the APT are from a studio that operates under the guidance of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-il. The studio reportedly produces almost all of the official artworks in North Korea, including works that clearly constitute propaganda aimed at glorifying and supporting the North Korean regime. To make an exception in this case would have represented a relaxation of Australia’s visa ban and sent an inappropriate message to the North Korean regime”.
So much for “freedom of speech”. The banning of artists from the DPRK travelling to Australia has been met by a stony silence by the “left”
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2009/2761313.htm
You can listen to the BBC’s Ballard of the Miners Strike about the year-long dispute (1984-85) where Thatcher crushed the British Miners and their union.