NATALIE BENNETT, LEADER OF THE GREEN PARTY AND WRITER LEE SALTER HOST FILM SCREENING
By Andrew Collins, September 2013
Secret City, written by Brighton based Lee Salter and directed by Michael Channan was screened at this month’s Green Party Conference.
Secret City, the feature length documentary, delves into the origins and inner workings of The City of London (more commonly known as The Square Mile), a district within greater London that was originally founded by the Romans. The fascinating video features interviews with City workers, members of the Guildhall, Alderman and other political figures.
The evening was hosted by Lee and Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett. The Green Party are the only political party in the UK who call for the abolition of the Corporation of London in their constitution.
Londinium, as it was then called, initially served as a very profitable trading settlement, and later became fortified as local English began to challenge its position of power and wealth. A tactical agreement was finally reached with the then King Of England William the Conqueror, whereby he would recognise the rights and individuality of the City of London, and they would do likewise with the Monarchy – a unique precedent which has remained in place to this day.
The documentary makers are touring the video around the UK and Europe where it is being very well received. It has already won this year’s London Independent Film Festival. Apart from some copyright clearance funding from Roehampton University, the documentary was independently funded.
The dominance and influence of the financial power-base of the City of London is increasingly coming under scrutiny, especially in these days of ‘austerity’ and economic upheaval across the globe, and Secret City shines a much needed light on the inner workings of the anachronistic ‘city within a city’.
The the-news.co were there to exclusively film the Q&A session following the screening, the video of which can be viewed above.
For further information on Secret City and the video makers, visit : http://secretcity-thefilm.com
