Watch out for….Viva, 19th Spanish and Latin American Film Festival at the Cornerhouse in Manchester from 8-24 March. There are some interesting political films: my top choices are:
30 Anos de Oscuridad (30 Years of Darkness), a documentary about the people who spent 30 years hiding from Franco. They lived in attics and secret rooms in private houses, they were the moles and these are their stories.
Violeta Se Fue ALos Cielos (Violeta went to Heaven) Violeta Parra was a Chilean composer, songwriter,folklorist, visual artist and mother of the New Chilean Song Movement. Find out about her life and hear a soundtrack of her influential songs.
La Voz Dormida (The Sleeping Voice), based on the novel by Dulce Chacon is the story of two sisters following the Spanish Civil War. One sister is pregnant and as an active Republican has been imprisoned and her sister steps in to try save her from being executed.
Infancia Clandestina (Clandestine Childhood), based on real events and told from the perspective of the 12 year old son of Argentine political activists who, on returning to Argentina, continued to work against the military regime.
For further info see
Look….Hidden exhibition at Peoples History Museum, which is an Impressions Gallery touring exhibition. Hidden recreates great moments in the long struggle for rights and representation with scenes involving the dissenters, revolutionaries, radicals and non-conformists, who have often been hidden from history.
Each scene is carefully planned and lit, using costumed models in the style of tableaux vivants (living pictures). All the participants are volunteers, including the actors and behind scenes technicians. There is an interesting film of the project which is worth watching to show how he created this fantastic exhibition. What makes this different from many other photographic exhibitions is that Red Saunders brings his politics into the project. He was a founder of Rock Against Racism in the 70s and he hasn’t lost his belief that art can change people; “My hope is that these images can give new life to these important episodes of working people’s history.”There is more than a nod to Sheila Rowbotham’s groundbreaking feminist history book Hidden from History here. Check out his tableau of my hero, Tom Paine, not quite how I imagined him, but if it encourages people to find out more about his life then the project will succeed and our history will not be “Hidden” anymore.
Further details see
Get active….Combat the Bedroom Tax…brilliant blog and campaign..love the angry cat logo…direct action gets satisfaction…..got a feeling that anarchists are involved…..challenging the myths about migrants are taking jobs when it’s the corporations who are avoiding tax, exploiting the unemployed and making them work for their benefits. See
Support… our London comrades (its not their fault they are in the south). Firebox is a political project following in the footsteps of the International Club and the Partisan Coffee House. Not just a café, they organise discussions, promote campaigns and are a meeting place for Londoners and, because they are near King’s Cross Station, it’s a convenient place to drop in if you are visiting the city. They are located at 106-108 Cromer Street, London WC1H8BZ
They are now seeking to raise £5,000 to cement the cafe’s reputation as a haven for progressive minds. Their appeal is currently running through Kickstarter, an all-or-nothing platform; meaning the team have only 30 days to reach their goal.
Project co-ordinator Clare Solomon says The last six months have been incredible. We’ve worked with so many fantastic organisations – from the Haldane Society of Lawyers to the SockMob homelessness charity – and have had a brilliant response from the local community. Now we’re looking to fund a video editing suite for local residents and groups to use. We’d also like to run new events for the community, like free progressive parenting groups. Please give generously to allow us to do this; and pop in next time you’re in King’s Cross!
The appeal will run until Friday March 29th and can be accessed via the Kickstarter website
More…women’s events…at the Black Lion in Salford on Wednesday 13 March at 730pm. Kino Shorts; Women In Film. Not particularly political films about women’s lives, but featuring films from Greater Manchester to Europe that were produced, directed, written or acted by women. Go along, watch the films and join the discussion with the film makers.
Celebrate..St.Pat’s Day.. learn about our rich history and how it is entwined with the politics of the city..we are more than drinkers and singers ……Sunday 17 March, 11am, The Irish in Manchester (Walk 1)
On St Patrick’s Day this walk will explore the history of the Irish in Manchester, including Little Ireland, the Irish at Peterloo, the arrest of William O’Brien, MP and the story of the Manchester Martyrs. Meet at Oxford Road Station. Fee £6/£5. Advance booking strongly advised.
More information and booking : redflagwalks@gmail.com
lipstick socialist 
thanks for the recommendations – I went to Violeta and thought it was excellent – Ian ian
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