The UK’s first investigative film week, organised by the cij, took place from the 2-6 February, in the Oliver Thompson Theatre at City University London.
Six excellent investigative documentaries uncovered aid corruption, the mistreatment of patients in hospitals, racist attitudes and abuse, dirty secrets of food industry and wrongful corporate claims, while showcasing some of the best investigative techniques.
The event was attended by over 400 people including journalists, students, academics, film makers and politicians and was covered in The Guardian: Investigative Film Week, London.
Each screening was followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.
The cij would like to thank the Lorana Sullivan Foundation for supporting the event.
highlights
It was the UK premiere for Black on White (Schwarz auf Weiss) the film by Germany’s legendary investigative journalist Günter Wallraff.
Wallraff is famous for his unconventional investigative technique; covert filming and impersonation, both of which were used in this controversial documentary. After the screening the director, Pagonis Pagonakis, answered questions about how they approached making this film.
Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno also use impersonation as a tool. In The Yes Men Fix the World they posed as top executives of big corporations on live TV and caused all sorts of havoc.
We had two documentaries – Pig Business and Flip the Coin: The Bitter Taste of Tea – that looked at the grim realities of the global food industry. After the screenings the filmmakers discussed the difficulties they faced making their films.
It was also the UK premiere for Paul Moreira’s film Afghanistan: On the Dollar Trail, which investigated aid money corruption in the conflict-torn country.
We showed BBC Panorama’s Undercover Nurse, one of the best examples of the use of a whistleblower to investigate a story and discussed how to work with whistleblowers after the film.
programme
Tuesday 2 February at 6.30pm
Pig Business
Followed by Q&A with producer Tracy Worcester and associate producer Alastair Kenneil on how to avoid libel and lawsuits when conducting investigations
Wednesday 3 February at 6.30pm
Undercover Nurse
Followed by Q&A with producer Liz Bloor on working with whistleblowers, and the undercover nurse herself, Margaret Haywood.
Thursday 4 February at 6.30pm
Afghanistan: On the Dollar Trail UK premiere
Followed by Q&A with filmmaker Paul Moreira on how to film in dangerous environments and how to investigate corruption.
Friday 5 February at 6.30pm
Flip The Coin: The Bitter Taste of Tea UK premiere
Followed by Q&A with filmmaker Tom Heinemann on how to investigate the truth of corporate claims.
Saturday 6 February at 3pm
The Yes Men Fix the World
Followed by Q&A with filmmakers Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno (via Skype) on how to make investigations fun.
Saturday 6 February at 6.30pm
Günter Wallraff: Black on White UK premiere
Followed by Q&A with director, Pagonis Pagonakis, on covert filming and impersonation.
Prices per screening: £5 full price; £4 concessions
Weekly pass (admission to all six films) £25 full price; £20 concessions
All tickets sold on the door cash only.
cij is a registered charity (number 1118602) and all proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards cij training events.
The event is supported by the Lorana Sullivan Foundation.