Author Topic: A must read in the Observer - Sunday May 1st 2016 (link to article)  (Read 19912 times)

Offline BCCC

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Read it via the link from David Conn yesterday, a stunning piece that shoots an arrow directly into the heart of the establishment. A must read as gut wrenching as it is.
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Offline That Kennedy moment

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That was an absolutely massive article and i will be getting the book , thanks , one question will it be on Kindle?

Thanks again, everybody, for all your kind comments.

It wasn't difficult to write - it's in many ways just my life, thrown onto the page. But I was glad the Observer gave me the space to do justice to a 27-year experience. Too often, survivors are marginalised by the media, who are still prone to follow whatever way the wind is blowing in the news agenda. The context of it all still needs to be considered.

The bereaved suffered intense grief, survivors bore the brunt of the trauma. They are different conditions, and in much of the reporting over the years the trauma angle has been lost. I still think there's a documentary to be made on the unique circumstances around the trauma of Hillsborough survivors - perhaps someone will pick up on it this summer.

Is the book available on Kindle? Faber will no doubt make sure it is.
'I'd rather have a quick wank, a cup of tea and read the Beano frankly.'
Cornelius, 8 September 2008

Online Millie

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Thanks again, everybody, for all your kind comments.

It wasn't difficult to write - it's in many ways just my life, thrown onto the page. But I was glad the Observer gave me the space to do justice to a 27-year experience. Too often, survivors are marginalised by the media, who are still prone to follow whatever way the wind is blowing in the news agenda. The context of it all still needs to be considered.

The bereaved suffered intense grief, survivors bore the brunt of the trauma. They are different conditions, and in much of the reporting over the years the trauma angle has been lost. I still think there's a documentary to be made on the unique circumstances around the trauma of Hillsborough survivors - perhaps someone will pick up on it this summer.

Is the book available on Kindle? Faber will no doubt make sure it is.

Absolutely spot on - and compounded by the lies that were still seen as the truth until last week.
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Offline burtreynolds

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Wonderful and harrowing . There are paragraphs in that piece that will stay with me for life . Little wonder those who bore witness have been indelibly changed . Your courage is a benchmark .

Offline skivvy10

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Does anyone know how many survivors took their own lives? I read an article last week about a lad who couldn't go to the match so sold his ticket to his best friend, who sadly was one of the 96, this lad took his own life a few years ago as the guilt destroyed him. The ramifications of that day will resonate for decades and decades, made so much worse by this disgusting cover up.
And on the 6th day he created the Spion Kop, and then he rested.

Offline saoirse08

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Without doubt the best, most incisive, piece I've read surrounding Hillsborough over past last week. An exceptional piece of writing. Will definitely read the book.
“The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It’s the way I see football, the way I see life.”

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Offline vicgill

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Thank you,sat here in tears,wonderfully written.

I have been in tears for the best part of a week, crying on and off as the BBC or ITV mentioned Hillsborough in their news programs. I feel very very angry and would willingly wish harm to all of the South Yorkshire Police, I could go on but I think there will be a lot of people feeling the same. 
"Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and making yourself available to receive a pass, it is really that simple"

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Offline Filler.

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I could go on but I think there will be a lot of people feeling the same. 

Want to see them in court now. I'd like to see Thatcher there.


Wanted to buy The Observer and read it with paper in hand but all sold out. Read it online this morning. An essential read.


The bereaved suffered intense grief, survivors bore the brunt of the trauma. They are different conditions, and in much of the reporting over the years the trauma angle has been lost. I still think there's a documentary to be made on the unique circumstances around the trauma of Hillsborough survivors - perhaps someone will pick up on it this summer.

Have you thought about doing it yourself Adrian? Am sure you'd get a lot of technical assistance in making it.

Offline rocco

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Powerful read

Offline FlashGordon

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Finally sat down to read this and I can't commend you enough for how inspirational and thought provoking the article is. As someone with no real link to the city other than the football club I sometimes feel a bit awkward when it comes to commenting on Hillsborough related topics, however on this occasion I couldn't let it pass without saying a big thank you to yourself and all the campaigners. I had never really been able to grasp the struggles the survivors and affected families have gone through since it happened until this article opened my eyes to just how strong everyone has been and hopefully continues to be. Powerful piece indeed.
So bloody what? If you watch football to be absolutely miserable then go watch cricket.

Offline That Kennedy moment

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Have you thought about doing it yourself Adrian? Am sure you'd get a lot of technical assistance in making it.

A few survivors on here have had meetings with various TV producers, but nothing has taken off yet. They don't really get it.
'I'd rather have a quick wank, a cup of tea and read the Beano frankly.'
Cornelius, 8 September 2008

Offline Cracking Left Foot

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I read this on Sunday, and then just sat there for half an hour quietly taking it all in. I can't remember the last time a piece of writing affected me so deeply, I rang my dad later that day to ask him if he'd read it, and he said it had a similar effect on him.

As far as I'm concerned, this article should be on the National Curriculum for future generations to read and learn about what happened. I salute you Adrian.

Offline Filler.

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A few survivors on here have had meetings with various TV producers, but nothing has taken off yet. They don't really get it.

Have you thought about producing it yourself? Or with a small group of other survivors, and skipping the TV route? I know it would be daunting, but there would be a lot of assistance out there to help you make something. I don't mean charitable assistance, but good sound advice and contacts to get in touch with.

I'm in no way an expert or anything like that, but I did work on a few short films and at TV production companies for £0.00/hour for some years when I was younger (mid to late 90's), and at a TV production course I was on, I'll always remember what I was told you need to produce a film... 'you need two things, a telephone and a desk'. What I also got out of it, was a window into a network of like-minded 'guerilla' film-makers, making no budget films etc. I don't know what it's like today but It'll still be there I'm sure. And with social media - something I'm not up on - possibly wide spread.

Not that a 27 year cover up by the establishment should attract a no-budget film culture, but it could be a good place to start a seed off.

And this leads me onto another thought of mine - it's not like a documentary needs to come out NOW. This is something that could come out in 3/5/10/20+ years and still be something that needs watching. If you're producing it yourselves, you could ensure it comes out as you want it, and you won't be tied by angles, and deadlines, and fudging things to fit others needs. Don't ever let them fudge your ideas - that would be my one piece of advice.

There will be funding streams available. An onerous task as I'm sure you'll know. But you'll have a lot of people behind you for it I'm sure.


Offline That Kennedy moment

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That's a good idea Filler. We have considered it, and may return to it. I think we were holding out for a terrestrial channel producer to pick it up, but we would deffo retain more editorial control if we did it ourselves.

And yeah, it would be possible to crowd-source it. It's an idea that refuses to go away...

'I'd rather have a quick wank, a cup of tea and read the Beano frankly.'
Cornelius, 8 September 2008

Offline mersey_paradiso

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Only got round to reading it last night but that was a superb piece of writing Adrian , thank you.
RIP Alex Jarmay .                                           Justice  for the 97 YNWA

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Offline Weby72.

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A great - but gut-wrenching - piece of writing.

Without wanting to go off topic, I do want to say that I think it's worthy of note to see how the internet has grown to be a massive tool for good (and for bad, too, sadly). Not only for campaigning and bringing an issue to wider public attention, but for people affected by a common tragedy to be more [searching for & failing to find the right word, so will say...] connected.

Imagine if, in the aftermath of Hillsborough, there'd been forums like RAWK, where survivors could share (anonymously, from a place that felt safe) their experiences, and also read the experiences of other survivors so that they didn't feel so isolated. Where people could not only collate information about the events that day to build an accurate, contemporaneous picture, but prepare each other to repel the lies emanating from SYP and their political supporters.

I think a lot of heartache for relatives/friends and for survivors could have been lessened.

As it is, the benefit of the internet has been felt belatedly, not just through the campaigning element that definitely added weight to the JFT96 fight, but through fans and the wider public being granted information that has led to a greater understanding of the turmoil faced by survivors.


Offline That Kennedy moment

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The previous post is absolutely spot on. Social media and the internet would have enabled us to overturn this colossal lie within a few years. Which leads me to think that Hillsborough might turn out to be the last disaster and cover-up of its kind.
'I'd rather have a quick wank, a cup of tea and read the Beano frankly.'
Cornelius, 8 September 2008

Offline MichaelA

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The previous post is absolutely spot on. Social media and the internet would have enabled us to overturn this colossal lie within a few years. Which leads me to think that Hillsborough might turn out to be the last disaster and cover-up of its kind.

Definitely a post script for the book? I don't think it's a coincidence that the campaign got underway again -  after a 'fallow' period in the wake of the scrutiny - because of the connectivity of the Internet. It started on the old Liverpoolfc.net site, and continued in independent Liverpool sites like RAWK.

Offline Filler.

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That's a good idea Filler. We have considered it, and may return to it. I think we were holding out for a terrestrial channel producer to pick it up, but we would deffo retain more editorial control if we did it ourselves.

And yeah, it would be possible to crowd-source it. It's an idea that refuses to go away...



The film festival circuit is maybe where you need to aim for. So many people involved in them and interested in self produced films. Always been an encouraging bunch in my experience. There's a support network there that can be tapped into.

Nobody likes to employ someone to work for nothing, but unfortunately, people like myself were glad to be involved and put our all into it - I even catered on a film once, which is the most important job on a film bar none. Fuck the director. So you could budget it accordingly. Nobody likes exploitation, but when I was younger, I was just glad of a chance, and am sure it'll be the same now. It's a difficult one. One I'm sure you'll work out. My advice would be to spend 50% at least on marketing. So that may be £500k. As basic. It takes alot of money. But you've got a story, and you can tell it.

All you need is a telephone and a desk.

Offline mersey_paradiso

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Definitely a post script for the book? I don't think it's a coincidence that the campaign got underway again -  after a 'fallow' period in the wake of the scrutiny - because of the connectivity of the Internet. It started on the old Liverpoolfc.net site, and continued in independent Liverpool sites like RAWK.

Definitely.

As an OOTER (born in L15 though) and last going to see Liverpool regularly in 94 after moving down south  , I learnt so many details from reading online as I'm sure many, many people did.

Thanks to all on here and everywhere else that researched , wrote , sang and never gave up speaking and fighting for the TRUTH .
RIP Alex Jarmay .                                           Justice  for the 97 YNWA

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Offline Speedy Molby

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So that may be £500k. As basic. It takes alot of money. But you've got a story, and you can tell it.

All you need is a telephone and a desk.
I've spotted a paradox.
I am alone now. I am beyond recrimination. The curtains have shut, the furniture has gone. I am transforming. I am vibrating. I am glowing. I am flying. Look at me now.

Offline Filler.

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I've spotted a paradox.

Can't see it!

Perfectly possible to shoot and promote a film for £20,000. Perfectly possible to shoot and promote a film for £20, but I think an establishment cover up of this magnitude should be attracting a serious amount of money to help make it. It depends on what you need or want to do of course. But if you're budgeting for a film, a large amount should be left for promotion. Word of mouth, and social media, can of course carry much of the burden.

Hope I'm not derailing the thread, or seen as badgering. Last thing I want.

It might be worth researching Jeremy Deller's re-enactment of The Battle of Orgreave. If re-enactment plays a part in the thinking. Very difficult to do I know. Mike Figgis made a documentary on the making of the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ncrWxnxLjg

Also, might be worth getting in touch with http://www.sentogether.net/2014/03/unemployed-16-24-want-to-work-in-film-production/ . There will be a number of young people on that course who will be looking to gain experience in film, and the organisers of the course could offer some great advice.


Offline Speedy Molby

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I meant the difference between 'it costs a lot of money' and 'all you need is a phone and a desk'. But I see now I was being facetious. Apologies.
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Offline idontknow

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That is an incredibly moving article.
I really do not know what to say but thank you for writing and sharing it and best wishes to you.

And I fully agree that a documentary about the survivor's experiences is long overdue but could be a remarkable testament.
It is a machine. It is more stupid than we are. It will not stop us from doing stupid things.

Offline MichaelA

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I meant the difference between 'it costs a lot of money' and 'all you need is a phone and a desk'. But I see now I was being facetious. Apologies.

Rob Filler is an artist ;D

Offline Filler.

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I meant the difference between 'it costs a lot of money' and 'all you need is a phone and a desk'. But I see now I was being facetious. Apologies.

No apology necessary :) I was genuinely trying to find a paradox!


There is a lot of truth in just needing a desk and a phone. Plus lots of time, and lots of work. Applying for funding thru the BFI or National Lottery Film Fund, or any other body set up to help finance films, takes a lot of form filling. Mammoth amounts of typing and ringing and writing and rewriting. You've almost got to learn a new language. But it can be done. People do it all the time. Got no experience in making a film? Lots of people out there to help.

Rob Filler is an artist ;D

;D
« Last Edit: May 5, 2016, 04:50:13 pm by Filler. »

Offline Speedy Molby

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Cheers Rob and Michael, you've made me chuckle. The possibility of one of the major networks making this is not necessarily dead, but self-produced is a road we could well go down. :wave
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Offline Filler.

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Cheers Rob and Michael, you've made me chuckle. The possibility of one of the major networks making this is not necessarily dead, but self-produced is a road we could well go down. :wave

Do it. Really hope you do. Really hope you avoid the TV route. You'll have control. Dont worry that you have never made a film before. Think outside the box as they say. Push a boat out. You'll be fine.

Offline gatcliffe

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A really excellent article brought tears to my eyes thanks for sharing it.
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