It’s just too explosive! School eco film is scrapped
Published: 7 October, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM
A HARD-HITTING film in which two pupils are blown up by a teacher for failing to take climate change seriously was filmed at a secondary school in Camden Town.
Camden School for Girls in Sandall Road would not comment on whether it was happy with the finished product, commissioned by environmental group 10:10, which was pulled this week following a furore over the graphic scenes. It was directed by Four Weddings comic screenwriter Richard Curtis.
The three-minute film, entitled No Pressure, was dubbed “enviro-snuff” by disgusted critics and questions are now being asked over the school’s judgment in letting it go ahead.
Tom Bugeja, a teacher at the children’s charity Kids Company based in Camden Town, said: “I think it’s a bit embarrassing for the school to be associated with this. They’ve ended up looking pretty stupid.”
Similar scenes were filmed at the school in September featuring ex-Spurs footballer David Ginola and X-files star Gillian Anderson being blown up for expressing mock ambivalence to carbon emissions.
Sixth-form pupil Conrad Landin defended the school’s stance. The 17-year-old said: “It was clearly well intentioned but I think there is a danger with a younger audience, that they might not understand. As far as the school is concerned, I think they agreed to it because they support the campaign.”
The school has joined up to a scheme pledging to cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent during 2010. The film’s maker, 10:10 founder Franny Armstrong, has already publicly apologised for causing offence.
Chairwoman of governors Penny Wild said she had not been told about the piece.