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FILMS FROM THE CLYDE - The Oppositional Films of Cinema Action

UCS1.jpg

Upper Clyde Shipbuilders 1 (1971, 23 mins)
A campaign film supporting workers at Glasgow's Upper Clyde Shipyards who developed a new weapon to fight to retain their jobs - the occupation and the work-in. The film was screened at the time at meetings that were attended by more than 25,000 workers.

Class Struggle: Film from the Clyde (1977, 83 mins)
A documentary made with shipyard workers during the 18 month-long occupation and work-in at the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders from 1971 to 1972 when the yards were occupied and managed by a joint shop stewards’ committee after the government announced its decision to liquidate the company. An insight from the inside.

Rocking the Boat (1983, 63 mins)
A film covering 12 years of struggle by the men and women of the upper reaches of the Clyde, spanning dramatic footage of the UCS occupation of 1971-2 and an investigation into what happened to the workers and community involved in the struggle of the UCS and Govan shipbuilders to prevent closures and protect communities.

There will be a short ten minute break between the films.

Part of So That You Can Live: The Oppositional Films of Cinema Action

Also showing as part of this season: Early Shorts (1969-1970), Shorts (1972-1975), People of Ireland, The Miners' Film, So That You Can Live

With thanks to Chris Reeves at Platform Films

Presented by Wavelength
F: facebook.com/wavelengthdocs
T: @wavelengthdocs

  • dir. Cinema Action

  • year: 1971, 1977, 1983

  • country: UK

  • total run-time: 169 minutes

Doors 1:45

Film 2:15

£6.00 (£4.50 conc.)

Independent cinema in Britain is unthinkable without the achievements of the innovative film collective Cinema Action
— Paul Willemen - The Guardian
Serves as an enlightening view of exactly how workers can help determine their own future by refusing to be sacrificed to the forces of capitalism
— Time Out (on UCS1)
Significant... fascinating... energetic and energising... post-Thatcherite viewers will be astonished by its forceful display of union power and collective action
— Patrick Russell - BFI (on UCS1)