Project Detail

The Battle for Barking

Synopsis

This film is a unique documentary event: with unrivalled access, it follows both sides in a political battle during a year long campaign which attracted worldwide headlines.
 
Labour MP Margaret Hodge, a Jewish immigrant, is defending the parliamentary seat of Barking in the British general election from a challenge by the leader of the right wing British National Party, Nick Griffin, who has a big following amongst disenchanted white working class voters.
 
With building tension, as violence erupts on the streets, the film shows the strategies of both parties and the eventual denouement on election night.
 
Described as 'remarkable' by the Observer newspaper, the film will be of particular interest in countries where there is a populist rightwing or racist party.

Details

Year
2010
Type of project
Features
Running time
84 mins
Format
DigiBeta
Director
Laura Fairrie 1st Feature
Producer
Anna Teeman
Co-Producer
Anna Teeman
Executive Producer
Christopher Hird
Editor
John Mister
Director of Photography
Laura Fairrie
Sound
George Foulgham
Composer
Molly Nyman

Production Status

Production Company

Dartmouth Films, in association with Sidewalk Films

Somerset House
South Wing
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7845 5858

Sales Company

Christopher Hird

Dartmouth Films
Somerset House
South Wing
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7845 5858

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

Spiral Spiral

Director: Laura Fairrie

Year: 2017

Documentary exploring the recent rise of antisemitism in Europe.

Bandit Michele Di Gè, as an old man reflecting on his outlaw life. Diary of a Bandit (Diario di un brigante)

Director: Henry Worsley

Year: 2027

Italy, 1866. Michele Di Gè, a young shepherd, leads a monotonous life, but dreams of the bandit-filled mountains on the horizon. When he helps his friend flee conscription, Michele sees an opportunity to leave home and prove himself as a man, joining a band of brutal outlaws. But this is not the adventure Michele bargained for – and behind every myth, there hides a stranger and more terrible truth. Shot by an international crew of young independent filmmakers, this film transports you to Italy's own Wild West -- a world never seen before on screen.

Man wearing shirt exhausted on a blue coloured lounger, in a warm country. Sun umbrellas, pool and palm trees out of focus in the background. The sunlight hits him from the left-hand side. Your Sweet Home

Director: Nataša Cordeaux

Year: 2026

Bill, a timid and overworked Brit, impulsively books a beach escape in the hope of unwinding. On arrival, he's greeted by a mysterious Balkan baba and follows her into the flat of her daughter, Sunny - an eccentric former travel agent. “Welcome to paradise, my darling,” Sunny beams, rebranding their small home into a VIP holiday experience. Out of his depth, Bill is soon commandeered by Sunny’s persuasive upselling and is roped into a unique beach excursion - pay per hour. Each day brings another increasingly absurd encounter: a coffee-cup fortune becomes a massage sales pitch, while an innocent nap takes a strange turn. Yet amidst the oddness, Sunny and Baka’s boundless hospitality and growing fondness for having a man around the house begin to make Bill feel at home. On his final morning, Bill discovers that his bed is actually Baka's bed. Sitting together on the balcony, he confesses his deep dark secret: he’s never been on holiday before and worries he’s doing it wrong. “What a silly thing to worry about,” Sunny says. Bill decides it’s a great day for the beach. Business is back on as Sunny and Baka bicker about how many sandwiches they can sell.