Remember we told you about North Devon’s new youth-run cinema set up in to support and show local films, while rousing some political rabble in the process? If you don’t, click here. If you do, feel free to read on.

Reel Indi launched their 2007 programme on January 5 at Tapeley Park, with a screening of the 9/11 doco Short Change and an appearance by ex-MI5 whistleblower David Shayler.

How did the launch go? It’s funny you should ask, cos Reel Indi got in touch with D+CFilm to tell us all about it. Here’s what ‘they’ said:

‘Over 50 people of all ages came from all over North Devon to the opening night of Reel Indi, ready to witness Project 1, a film by local photographer Iain Holder, and David Shayler’s Short Change.

‘Between films, people were entertained by music from Powerpop!, DJ Seb Wheeler and projections by local photographers Indi Hicks, Will Newitt and Seb Wheeler.

‘Food and drink from Marshford Organic Farm stocked the bar, which was colourfully decked out with work from Matt Walkerdine, Seb Wheeler, Tom Harris, Indi Hicks and the arts and craft girl duo Artisan. All the artists involved were young people from North Devon.

‘Iain Holder’s film Project 1 presented his account of the horrors of modern warfare, with still images recounting the historical and political links between the war on terror and other conflicts of the 20th century.

‘Contextualised with moving footage and a thought-provoking soundtrack, the short film reflected his abhorrence at the injustices of war.

‘Short Change tore into the American government’s accounts of what really happened on September 11, 2001. The large turn-out showed that people are not satisfied with what they have been told. Narrated by David Shayler, the film made people gasp and laugh at the hypocrisy and untruths told by the government.

‘After the film Anne and David Shayler gave a brilliant but harrowing talk about their experience working within MI5. This extraordinary insight into the inner workings of the secret service exposed incompetence at fighting terrorism and in some cases actually assisting the terrorists.

‘These two brave whistleblowers have since been on the run with numerous attempts on their life. They talked long into the night answering the many questions from the audience.

‘Instead of the usual feeling of apathy and powerlessness, people went away from Reel Indi feeling inspired and empowered.  Afterwards the bar was buzzing until gone midnight.’

Sounds fab, don’t it? If you wanna get involved with the next Reel Indi event (they’re showing Uncovered: Iraq War Conspiracy on February 7) send a righteous email to northdevonactiveyouth@hotmail.co.uk

In the meantime, see below to get a flavour of what Shayler had to say to the folks at Reel Indi. Alternatively, click here for a more detailed look at the 9/11 conspiracy.

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Posted by Thin White Duke

This entry was posted on Monday, January 22nd, 2007 at 10:16 am and is filed under Festivals/Events, Local, Reviews . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.