A documentary revealing a network of far-right “race science” activists in Britain and their links to a wealthy American financier of eugenics research has been pulled from the London Film Pageant (LFF) at the last minute because to security concerns. .
Organizers have made the “heartbreaking decision” to cancel the planned screening of the “exceptional” Undercover: exposing the far right this weekend due to fears over the well-being of staff and security working at the competition venues.
Havana Marking, the director of the film, who made headlines last week for identifying the sponsor of research into so-called race science and highlighting the racist views of former London mayoral candidate Nick Scanlon, criticized the decision to cancel the film. premiere as “a very unfortunate result.”
“I understand that the competition needs to take care of its staff, but I am furious that our film lost its theatrical release so late,” she said. “They told us that the LFF felt they couldn't show it for security reasons. However, I believe that the power of the far right is exaggerated, although its influence is clearly dangerous.”
Talking to him ObserverMarking said she was concerned about the climate of fear created by recent far-right unrest in Britain following the murder of three children in Southport.
“We tried to come up with alternative ways to show the film when they were presented to us,” he said. “But the riots have scared people a lot. I try to think of it as a reflection of the film's powerful content, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to make documentaries with political content, and if they're not guaranteed a screening, it doesn't really help.
“At least the film will be out on Monday on Channel 4. And, in fact, both Channel 4 and the British Movie Institute, the body behind the film competition, have been incredibly supportive of this film.”
Kristy Matheson, director of the show, said the decision to cancel the screening was due to concerns that staff would not feel safe.
“After exploring all viable options to screen this film at a public film competition, we made the heartbreaking decision not to screen it. Undercover: exposing the far right in the LFF,” he said. “I think the film is exceptional and easily one of the best documentaries I have seen this year. However, festival workers have the right to feel safe and have their mental health and well-being respected in their workplace.
“I took into account the expert opinion of my colleagues about the safety and well-being risks that the screening could have created for the public and the team and that influenced our decision, which we did not take lightly. “The film is incredibly important and we wish it the best.”
The documentary follows investigators from the organization Hope Not Hate as they track members of violent and intolerant far-right factions who are planning demonstrations and intimidation campaigns. It also exposes British far-right activist and former private school teacher Matthew Frost, also known as Matt Archer, and his connections to Seattle-based billionaire Andrew Conru.
after newsletter promotion
Marking said he had filmed with Hope Not Hate for two years. “Of course, history kept changing and eventually the riots occurred in Britain. At first, we believed this simply made the film more relevant. “It is true, of course, that far-right activists like Tommy Robinson pose a threat, particularly to members of Hope Not Hate, but it is sad that their actions have had this impact.”
The documentary focuses on the work of the Human Range Basis, a group that uses podcasts, videos, websites and research articles to defend the genetic superiority of certain ethnic groups. He received more than $1 million from Conru, who made money from dating websites. He has withdrawn his support after reporting in the Guardiansaying it had strayed from its original mission of “nonpartisan academic research.”