Post by mr.t on May 31, 2005 11:29:04 GMT
1 June 2005. Press Release from Spanner Films
_______________________________________
McLIBEL CHOSEN FOR FLAGSHIP BBC2 SERIES
OF OSCAR-WINNERS AND HIT DOCUMENTARIES
LIVE WEBCHAT WITH DEFENDANTS AND DIRECTOR
FOLLOWING BROADCAST
_______________________________________
-> release online at:
www.spannerfilms.net/?lid=1918
-> more on the film:
www.spannerfilms.net/mclibel
-> press contact: Lizzie Gillett
lizzie@spannerfilms.net
McLIBEL CHOSEN FOR FLAGSHIP BBC2 SERIES
OF OSCAR-WINNERS AND HIT DOCUMENTARIES
LIVE WEBCHAT TO FOLLOW SCREENING
-> After a ten year production, Franny Armstrong's no-budget documentary, 'McLibel',
will be broadcast on BBC2 on World Environment Day, Sunday 5th June, at 10.30pm
as part of a six-part Storyville series of landmark documentaries.
-> 'McLibel' is the only uncommissioned, independent film from a first-time filmmaker
to be selected for the prestigious series. Also screening are Errol Morris's
'The Fog of War', cinema hit 'Lost In La Mancha' and France's top-grossing doc,
'Etre et Avoir'.
-> There will be a live webchat with Franny Armstrong and the McLibel defendants
directly after the screening at 11.55pm on 5th June at www.mcspotlight.org/webchat
McLibel is the story of the postman and the gardener who humiliated McDonald's in
the biggest corporate disaster in history. The new 85 minute feature documentary
follows Dave Morris, 50, and Helen Steel, 39, from anonymous campaigners distributing
leaflets in North London in the late 80s to global heroes defeating the UK government -
and libel laws - at the European Court in 2005. Whilst representing themselves in the
longest court case in English history (314 days), Helen works nights in a bar and Dave
brings up his young son alone. They also face infiltration by spies, secret meetings with
corporate executives and a visit from Ronald McDonald.
"It's a remarkable achievement." says Ken Loach, who directed the courtroom
reconstructions in McLibel as part of the volunteer crew, "The broadcasters don't
deserve congratulation but castigation - it should have been shown when it was
first made."
McDonald's had always used the UK libel laws to suppress criticism. Everyone from
the BBC, Channel 4, The Sun, The Guardian and Time Out to Linda McCartney,
trade unions, tea shops and kids' theatre groups had crumbled in the face of
McDonald's legal threats. So no broadcaster would commission a film about McLibel
at the start of the trial in 1995. Which left first-time filmmaker and former pop drummer
Franny Armstrong, then aged 23, with a story-and-a-half on her hands. The first version
of her film (52 mins), was released at the end of the original McLibel trial in 1997, sold
to TV around the world, was seen by 26 million people and yet was never broadcast in
the UK. Commissioners at first BBC1 and then Channel 4 wanted to buy it, but pulled out
after consulting their lawyers.
"As the media has more and more fallen into the hands of a few corporations there is
much more timidity about doing investigative journalism." says Eric Schlosser, author
of international bestseller "Fast Food Nation" and one of the key interviewees in McLibel
"McDonald's strategy of threatening to sue people was very very effective. It prevented
meaningful criticism of McDonald's from appearing in the British media."
But after Helen and Dave (the 'McLibel 2') defeated the UK libel laws at the European
Court of Human Rights in February 2005 - and with McDonald's issuing no further libel
threats - the UK broadcasters finally acted. BBC4 screened McLibel on 14 April 2005 - the
day before McDonald's 50th Birthday - and, following overwhelming viewer response and
rave reviews (see below), BBC2 selected the film for its prestigious documentary series.
"Helen and Dave proved that ordinary people and common sense can win against
impossible odds in our legal system" says Director Franny Armstrong. "And I hope
our film shows that independent filmmakers can fight through all the waffle on TV to get
alternative stories right into the mainstream."
Franny's second documentary, 'Drowned Out' (2002) followed an Indian family who
decide to stay at home and drown rather than make way for the Narmada Dam. It was
runner-up for 'Best Documentary' at the British Independent Film Awards last year.
Both McLibel and Drowned Out are being released in the cinema in the US later this year.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRESS REVIEWS FROM BBC4 BROADCAST, APRIL 2005
www.spannerfilms.net/mclibel
"The sort of film Michael Moore probably thinks he makes" - Sunday Times
"Hilarious and engrossing" - BBC
"Charming and inspiring" - Radio Times
"More twists than a John le Carre novel" - Bermuda Sun
"Will satisfy both head and heart" - Time Out
"Shamelessly partisan, if entertaining" - The Times
"Dynamite" - Yahoo Movies
"Freedom of speech rarely tasted so satisfying" - Times Online
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
VIEWERS' RESPONSES FROM BBC4
www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/yoursay/mclibel.shtml
Superb! The BBC has finally shown something that is against corporate smears, lies,
half-truths and deception. Worth the licence fee alone - Sam Freke, Bristol
McLibel just goes to show how good television can be when someone actually has
something to say. There is so much 'presentation' now and so little content. This
programme had real content and that's why it was so good - Barbara, Bristol
After all the comments about dumbing down within the BBC (often well founded criticisms),
this is the BBC at its best. You have wisely given the necessary time to cover the broad
depth of issues. It would have been so easy to give this subject just 30 minutes. For me,
this is by far the top documentary of 2005, amongst very many excellent contenders - Jeff Ball
I think it is paradoxical to say the least that a programme about how the right to free speech
is curtailed in this country by the law should have been shown on the BBC channel with the
smallest number of viewers! What are you frightened of? - Josephine Bacon, London
The McLibel 2 should have been given high honours in the Queen's awards. What this pair
did is certainly more important than sailing around the world for a multinational like B&Q.
J Lee, Fareham
McLibel is the first time I've watched Storyville. I'm nearly 63 and happy to say that I still get
angry when I watch programmes like this. This is true 'reality' television - please give me
more so that I can maintain my anger instead of just accepting that this is the world
we live in. - Mike Swift, Sheffield
A wonderful programme. Much of it made Michael Moore's work look very
amateurish. - M Newman
Dave, Helen, Franny and the team have proved that the ordinary, decent and brave people
in society can take on a giant bully of a corporation and win. - Martin O Neill, Lurgan, N Ireland
_______________________________________
McLIBEL CHOSEN FOR FLAGSHIP BBC2 SERIES
OF OSCAR-WINNERS AND HIT DOCUMENTARIES
LIVE WEBCHAT WITH DEFENDANTS AND DIRECTOR
FOLLOWING BROADCAST
_______________________________________
-> release online at:
www.spannerfilms.net/?lid=1918
-> more on the film:
www.spannerfilms.net/mclibel
-> press contact: Lizzie Gillett
lizzie@spannerfilms.net
McLIBEL CHOSEN FOR FLAGSHIP BBC2 SERIES
OF OSCAR-WINNERS AND HIT DOCUMENTARIES
LIVE WEBCHAT TO FOLLOW SCREENING
-> After a ten year production, Franny Armstrong's no-budget documentary, 'McLibel',
will be broadcast on BBC2 on World Environment Day, Sunday 5th June, at 10.30pm
as part of a six-part Storyville series of landmark documentaries.
-> 'McLibel' is the only uncommissioned, independent film from a first-time filmmaker
to be selected for the prestigious series. Also screening are Errol Morris's
'The Fog of War', cinema hit 'Lost In La Mancha' and France's top-grossing doc,
'Etre et Avoir'.
-> There will be a live webchat with Franny Armstrong and the McLibel defendants
directly after the screening at 11.55pm on 5th June at www.mcspotlight.org/webchat
McLibel is the story of the postman and the gardener who humiliated McDonald's in
the biggest corporate disaster in history. The new 85 minute feature documentary
follows Dave Morris, 50, and Helen Steel, 39, from anonymous campaigners distributing
leaflets in North London in the late 80s to global heroes defeating the UK government -
and libel laws - at the European Court in 2005. Whilst representing themselves in the
longest court case in English history (314 days), Helen works nights in a bar and Dave
brings up his young son alone. They also face infiltration by spies, secret meetings with
corporate executives and a visit from Ronald McDonald.
"It's a remarkable achievement." says Ken Loach, who directed the courtroom
reconstructions in McLibel as part of the volunteer crew, "The broadcasters don't
deserve congratulation but castigation - it should have been shown when it was
first made."
McDonald's had always used the UK libel laws to suppress criticism. Everyone from
the BBC, Channel 4, The Sun, The Guardian and Time Out to Linda McCartney,
trade unions, tea shops and kids' theatre groups had crumbled in the face of
McDonald's legal threats. So no broadcaster would commission a film about McLibel
at the start of the trial in 1995. Which left first-time filmmaker and former pop drummer
Franny Armstrong, then aged 23, with a story-and-a-half on her hands. The first version
of her film (52 mins), was released at the end of the original McLibel trial in 1997, sold
to TV around the world, was seen by 26 million people and yet was never broadcast in
the UK. Commissioners at first BBC1 and then Channel 4 wanted to buy it, but pulled out
after consulting their lawyers.
"As the media has more and more fallen into the hands of a few corporations there is
much more timidity about doing investigative journalism." says Eric Schlosser, author
of international bestseller "Fast Food Nation" and one of the key interviewees in McLibel
"McDonald's strategy of threatening to sue people was very very effective. It prevented
meaningful criticism of McDonald's from appearing in the British media."
But after Helen and Dave (the 'McLibel 2') defeated the UK libel laws at the European
Court of Human Rights in February 2005 - and with McDonald's issuing no further libel
threats - the UK broadcasters finally acted. BBC4 screened McLibel on 14 April 2005 - the
day before McDonald's 50th Birthday - and, following overwhelming viewer response and
rave reviews (see below), BBC2 selected the film for its prestigious documentary series.
"Helen and Dave proved that ordinary people and common sense can win against
impossible odds in our legal system" says Director Franny Armstrong. "And I hope
our film shows that independent filmmakers can fight through all the waffle on TV to get
alternative stories right into the mainstream."
Franny's second documentary, 'Drowned Out' (2002) followed an Indian family who
decide to stay at home and drown rather than make way for the Narmada Dam. It was
runner-up for 'Best Documentary' at the British Independent Film Awards last year.
Both McLibel and Drowned Out are being released in the cinema in the US later this year.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRESS REVIEWS FROM BBC4 BROADCAST, APRIL 2005
www.spannerfilms.net/mclibel
"The sort of film Michael Moore probably thinks he makes" - Sunday Times
"Hilarious and engrossing" - BBC
"Charming and inspiring" - Radio Times
"More twists than a John le Carre novel" - Bermuda Sun
"Will satisfy both head and heart" - Time Out
"Shamelessly partisan, if entertaining" - The Times
"Dynamite" - Yahoo Movies
"Freedom of speech rarely tasted so satisfying" - Times Online
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
VIEWERS' RESPONSES FROM BBC4
www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/yoursay/mclibel.shtml
Superb! The BBC has finally shown something that is against corporate smears, lies,
half-truths and deception. Worth the licence fee alone - Sam Freke, Bristol
McLibel just goes to show how good television can be when someone actually has
something to say. There is so much 'presentation' now and so little content. This
programme had real content and that's why it was so good - Barbara, Bristol
After all the comments about dumbing down within the BBC (often well founded criticisms),
this is the BBC at its best. You have wisely given the necessary time to cover the broad
depth of issues. It would have been so easy to give this subject just 30 minutes. For me,
this is by far the top documentary of 2005, amongst very many excellent contenders - Jeff Ball
I think it is paradoxical to say the least that a programme about how the right to free speech
is curtailed in this country by the law should have been shown on the BBC channel with the
smallest number of viewers! What are you frightened of? - Josephine Bacon, London
The McLibel 2 should have been given high honours in the Queen's awards. What this pair
did is certainly more important than sailing around the world for a multinational like B&Q.
J Lee, Fareham
McLibel is the first time I've watched Storyville. I'm nearly 63 and happy to say that I still get
angry when I watch programmes like this. This is true 'reality' television - please give me
more so that I can maintain my anger instead of just accepting that this is the world
we live in. - Mike Swift, Sheffield
A wonderful programme. Much of it made Michael Moore's work look very
amateurish. - M Newman
Dave, Helen, Franny and the team have proved that the ordinary, decent and brave people
in society can take on a giant bully of a corporation and win. - Martin O Neill, Lurgan, N Ireland