This Green and Pleasant Land
From 1976 to 1992, the UK government enforced a compulsory sheep dipping program to combat Sheep scab. Non-compliance risked prosecution, and farmers were forced to use government-approved dips. Yet, they remained unaware that these contained organophosphates (OP), leading to severe health consequences arising from prolonged exposure. This project delves into the narratives of two farmers whose exposure to these chemicals would change their lives forever. Despite years of advocating for government accountability, they've faced continual setbacks. Through their stories, this project seeks to shed light on a neglected chapter of history, advocating for recognition and justice for those affected.
The Aesthetics of Apathy: The role of the artist in addressing climate change
The Aesthetics of Apathy explores the work of Edward Burtynsky within the context of landscape photography, examining the intersection between the political and historical connotations present within the genre. The film raises critical questions regarding the ethical obligations of artists, particularly in confronting urgent issues like climate change and challenges the notion of artistic neutrality, especially when artists like Burtynsky are already producing work centred on such issues and benefiting financially from it.
THIS PLACE WE CALLED HOME
At 17, Mandy fled from her abusive father, and took refuge in the vibrant squatting community of south London. It was within the dynamic enclave of St Agnes Place, London's longest-running squatted street, where she found her first semblance of a true home. For over a decade, Mandy lived amidst the eclectic collective of St Agnes Place, an experience that seems so alien to the culture of today.
However, today's London tells a different story. The city grapples with an unprecedented housing crisis, where affordable housing has become a distant dream for many. Squatting, once a refuge for the disenfranchised, has become increasingly untenable as legislation and rising property prices squeeze out alternative housing options. The number of homeless continues to rise, with thousands languishing on housing waiting lists in boroughs like Lambeth alone, underscoring the systemic failures of housing policy in the UK.
This film serves as a lament for a time that may never be revisited, a time when free-thinking communities like St Agnes Place thrived amidst the pressures of capitalism. It speaks to the erosion of spaces where unconventional lifestyles could flourish, as the relentless march of capitalism encroaches upon the very essence of communal living and free expression.
LOST IN LIMBO
The process of applying for asylum is notoriously complicated, with some countries making it much easier than others. With very few legal roads available to apply for asylum in the UK, most people decide to stay in Europe. We’re used to hearing about refugees from the Middle East, Africa and most recently Ukraine, but there is another humanitarian crisis happening in Latin America that isn’t as widely spoken about. Since 2015, over 7 million Venezuelans have left their home following complete economic collapse which makes it the largest migrant crisis in the Americas in recent history. Many of these migrants leave on foot with nothing but what they can carry with them. Most of these migrants have sought refuge in neighbouring Latin American countries but the few who have managed to save the money have made it to Spain.
Due to the historical connection and shared language, the largest demographic of asylum seekers in Spain are Venezuelans. The application can be made once in the country and while the authorities make their decision, applicants are given temporary residency and can’t be deported. However, with the current refugee crisis in Europe, the process is taking longer, and applicants are left in a state of limbo, unable to put down any solid roots, travel outside the country and unable to work legally, so they are often exploited with low wages and long hours.
The purpose of this film is to put a human face and story to the greater topic of immigration. The attitude towards refugees changes constantly and that is down to how they are depicted in the media. Too often their narrative is controlled by newspapers, never allowing them to have their own voice. Although this video is talking about the process in Spain, it is a universal one that all asylum seekers face. Many people aren’t aware of the financial and personal hardships faced by immigrants when trying to secure a better future for themselves and their family, but moving image has the power to educate and give power to the powerless in a short space of time but long enough to help others understand.