A community unites to take a stand against a grievous injustice in Felipe Bustos Sierra‘s documentary Everybody to Kenmure Street. An equal parts inspiring and informative film, Everybody to Kenmure Street recounts the events of the 2021 Kenmure Street Protests in the wider context of Glasgow, Scotland’s industrial growth. The narrative is told by people who were present, through archival footage, and with cameos from actors Emma Thompson, Kate Dickie, Keira Lucchesi, who act as proxies for anonymous but key figures from the remarkable incident.
The story opens with old film snippets featuring numerous industrial innovations and daily life: building construction crews, garment factory laborers, dockyard workers, and more. As it goes along, the footage shifts from a more traditional, white-centered tone to a more inclusive picture, with people of color driving buses and shopping at the outdoor fruit vendors. There are also clips of historical protests, including Votes for Women protests by Scottish suffragettes in the early twentieth century, shots of nurses protesting Margaret Thatcher in their uniforms in 1982, and the Lee Jeans Occupation of the 1981. The montage demonstrates a rich history of Glaswegians taking a stand, and provides additional context for the story that follows.
On the morning of Eid, on 13th of May 2021, on Kenmure Street in the Pollokshields suburb of Glasgow, two Sikh men have been taken into custody in an Immigration Enforcement van during a dawn raid and a passing stranger (referred to as “Van Man”) impulsively slides under it to stop the van from driving away. His action, apart from becoming a physical barrier, has the added benefit of buying time for word to spread and folks to get there. Within hours, the streets are filled with protestors two thousand strong and growing. Among them is one of the Glasgow Girls, Roza Salih, who it is revealed fought with her friends against detention for asylum seekers in Glasgow in 2005 and won. Looking on from one of the houses is Eileen Reid, daughter of the late prominent trade union spokesman Jimmy Reid.
Another important facet of this film is its inclusion of Glasgow’s role in the transatlantic slave trade as part of its development and its larger ramifications of dividing citizens by wealth and race. It was important to acknowledge this facet of the story as part of the larger, complex narrative of the city and the events of the protests, from the gradual filling of Kenmure Street to its dramatic, tense final moments.
At its heart, the film is about the diverse people of Glasgow, with a unifying message of community and being present to witness wrongdoings and try to make things right. Their commitment to the detainees is admirable, and the weight of their accomplished peaceful resolution is palpable for viewers. Five stars. Highly recommended.
What public library audience would benefit from screening this activist documentary?
The strong theme of peaceful protests makes Everybody to Kenmure Street an excellent film to screen for both budding veteran community activists as part of public library programming. The rapid assembly and steadfastness of the Kenmure Street residents and its neighbors might inspire viewers to join such efforts in their community.
What academic subjects or media education courses would benefit from this documentary film?
Everybody to Kenmure Street would be a valuable resource for educators at any undergraduate and graduate level who are teaching with film. Relevant course subjects include Scottish history, specifically in conjunction with the transatlantic slave trade and industrialism, immigration, and activism. Any course speaking to the merits and history of peaceful protesting would find much to discuss with this film. It would also be suitable as a case study for a film class on documentary production, particularly with its use of actors to keep participants and witnesses safe with their privacy intact but their words still heard.
Icarus Films
Icarus Films
Icarus Films
Icarus Films
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