Camden New Journal - Movies: Taking Liberties

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The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 7 June 2007

Left in no doubt about director’s views on 10 years of New Labour

TAKING LIBERTIES
Directed by Chris Atkins
Certificate tbc

DEPENDING upon which side of the fence you are standing, here is either a heartfelt cry for freedom of expression, or just an anarchists’ charter.
The director’s statement from Chris Atkins declares that his film “tells the story of how, over the last 10 years, a group of sharp-suited PR men and management consultants called New Labour have stolen the rights and freedoms of the British people”.
So, no sitting on the fence from Mr Atkins, then.
His documentary kicks off with shots of heavy-handed police reacting to peaceful protesters, set against the strident strains of Land of Hope and Glory.
We see elderly middle-class folk as they are bundled into vans, or locked inside their coaches on the way to protest at a US air base.
It’s a brave effort, marred by too many of the genuine protesters looking like amiable fruitcakes in funny hats and strange T-shirts.
But certainly food for thought when you head home afterwards.

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