[IMC-UK-Features] Feature proposal - EDO film tour

[thewallmustfall at riseup.net]

On the Verge - The film they tried to Ban

Police have intervened across the country to censor 'On the Verge' an
independent documentary about a campaign to shut down a Brighton weapons
manufacturer. So far establishments in Southampton, Chichester and Bath
and Oxford as well as Brighton have come under police pressure to cancel
film showings. In Brighton police intervened to prevent a showing at the
Duke of York's Cinema.

Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those
involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the
most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's
anti-war movement and direct action scene.

Sussex Police initially denied involvement in the decision to cancel the
screening at the Duke of York's cinema, with Chief Inspector Taylor
telling the Argus newspaper that “Police played no part in the
controversial cancellation”.

Subsequently however the police were forced to admit that “a junior
officer, who is not based in the city, alerted the city council to the
showing and they advised the cinema of its responsibilities.”

Staff at the Arthouse Community Cafe in Bedford Place, Southampton were
approached at 11 a.m (Weds 19th March) by police accompanied by licensing
officers. Threats were made concerning their licensing if the film, due to
be shown on Thursday 20th was screened. Jani Franck director of the
Community Cafe said “I grew up in South Africa and this feels awfully
familiar. This has nothing to do with protecting the public this is
nothing but censorship”

Spokesman for the production company SchMovies, Steven Bishop said “I am
extremely disappointed but not entirely surprised by the police's action.
There may be issues with certification but as we're not charging for entry
this shouldn't be an issue. If the police really had problems over the
certificate they could have approached us at a much earlier stage. Our
film although focussing mainly on the rights and wrongs of protest shows a
number of examples of questionable police behaviour – Perhaps this is why
they left their move so lat