Sunday 31 May 2009

The cultural and spiritual wastleland which is racism





A short film set in a record shop run by a racist highlights how racism has no place in today’s Britain. The piece was written by advertising creatives Andy Drugan, Ed Morris and Monty Verdi and directed by David Lodge through RSA Films.

It is a brilliant and powerful film which is launched today ahead of the European and local elections on Thursday 4 June. Many people have given their time, energy and commitment to this project because they believe that racism and fascism have no place in our society.
The film has been produced in partnership with many dedicated individuals as well as the film company RSA Films, Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) and PCS.

The film uses the important and positive links between music and our diverse culture to illustrate an anti-racism message. The film features Dizzee Rascal’s number one hit ‘Dance Wiv Me’ and the artists mentioned in the “Racist Records” shop such as The White Stripes and the James Brown Estate have given their permission and support to the project.
The music fan turns his back on the shop’s proprietor and leaves empty handed – as the shop has nothing to offer him, because racists have no music. The film illustrates the vibrant culture we all enjoy because of our multicultural society which we want to celebrate and defend.
All the collaborators on the project are united against bigotry and the film will be used to harness communication channels to encourage people to vote and to highlight the threat posed by far right political parties.

The film will be shown at music venues across the UK and


It is crucial that people make their votes count on Thursday 4 June to stop the far right making any more electoral gains.
Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “It is fantastic to be part of a project that sends out such a powerful message against racism and fascism. It is crucial that people make their votes count on Thursday 4 June to stop the far right making any more electoral gains.
“I’d urge as many people as possible to watch the video and to forward it to their friends and family to ensure that the hate filled message of the BNP and the far right is not the winner on 4 June.”

The writers hope that the film highlights the danger of parties such as the BNP. There is a possibility that people will want to make protest votes against the big parties because of the expenses scandal. But by reminding people that parties like the BNP are racist we hope to put people off voting for them.

Lee Bellingham of Love Music Hate Racism, added: “LMHR is delighted with the results of the project.
“It is great we have come together with a united anti-fascist message. Its also excellent we’ve been able to work with some of the UK’s top film production companies and advertising agencies. The film shows the broad appeal of our message, and that creative people are part of the campaign and are only too aware of the need to oppose the threat in our society posed by racism and modern-day nazis like the BNP.”

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