Motion: The Happy Lands, Telling Working Class History

The Happy Lands, Telling Working Class History

Lodged by Jayne Baxter Standard Motion 26 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament is disappointed by the decision of the Filmhouse cinema, which is one of the organisers of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, not to screen the Fife-based film, The Happy Lands; understands that the film, which is set among mining communities during the General Strike, has had sell-out performances across the UK; notes that people from villages and towns in Fife worked on the film both behind the scenes and as actors; believes that it was screened to great acclaim at the Glasgow, Rennes and Beijing film festivals; considers that the importance of the film was summed up by Tony Garnett, the producer of Kes, when he noted that, as the film represented "the working class telling working class history", this was "rare and valuable”; believes that The Happy Lands resonates with people and reflects what is happening to them and their communities at this moment; wishes The Happy Lands every success, and hopes that audiences at home and abroad will have an opportunity to view the film.

Supporters (26)