Category: TV
Drama
Date: 01.12.2004
Printable version
成人论坛 ONE is to continue its tradition of broadcasting fictional accounts
of events in recent history with a drama about life in a Yorkshire pit
village during the miners' strike of 1984-85.
Christine Tremarco, Maxine Peake,
Adrian Bower, Jamie Draven, Jason
Flemyng and Clive Russell star in Faith, William
Ivory's moving and passionate story of two sisters' struggle for survival
during the year-long conflict between the Thatcher government and the
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which began in March 1984.
Michelle (Christine Tremarco) is married to Gary (Jamie Draven), a
young miner who comes out on strike as soon as the dispute begins; and
Linda's (Maxine Peake) husband Paul (Adrian Bower) is a local policeman.
Two sisters on either side of the community divide.
As the weeks turn to months and bitterness and hardship become the
norm, everyday life begins to change.
While Michelle suddenly finds herself wanting to get more involved
in the miners' struggle, Gary begins to wonder whether he has the same
passion as those with whom he stands on the picket line.
Paul becomes more and more voluble in his opposition to the strike
and Linda looks around her at the women of her community who have suddenly
found a voice and independence.
The scene is set for political and personal conflicts which will change
their lives forever.
The 100-minute television film, Faith, follows in the footsteps of
成人论坛 ONE dramas Warriors, about British army peacekeepers in Bosnia;
The Project, which dealt with the rise of New Labour; and most recently
Holy Cross, a dramatisation of the 2001 sectarian confrontation in Belfast.
Jane Tranter, Controller of Drama Commissioning, says: "The miners'
strike had a deeply profound and lasting affect on both the economy
and the political mood of the nation.
"Billy Ivory has written an intelligent and compelling story set
in the heart of a community torn apart by one of the most definitive
political struggles of our time."
Writer William Ivory adds: "The women of the striking mining communities
played an enormous role in supporting their men and keeping their villages
and spirits alive.
"I wanted to portray that depth of feeling through the relationship
between two sisters and their husbands, set against the backdrop of
the strike, which doesn't shy away from the main issues but complements
and highlights how the strike affected families in mining villages all
over the UK as a result of the threatened closures."
Director David Thacker says: "William Ivory has written a powerful
drama showing the way in which lives were changed for ever during the
most important industrial dispute of the 20th century, a strike that
still has lasting resonances for those communities affected by the pit
closures of the Thatcher era."
Faith was filmed in the Doncaster area and local communities in South
Yorkshire were offered the opportunity to take part in an arts education
project rooted in the recent history of the region.
The makers of Faith held performance and acting workshops with people
of all ages from the local communities of Stainforth, Thorne, Moorends
and Doncaster to encourage people's participation as supporting artists
in the film.
William Ivory's recent dramas for the 成人论坛 include A Thing Called Love,
The Sins and Common As Muck.
Faith, produced by Alison Jackson and Antonia Bird and directed by
David Thacker, is a 4Way Pictures/Company Pictures production in association
with Screen Yorkshire for the 成人论坛.
The executive producers are George Faber and Charles Pattinson (Company
Pictures), Mark Cousins (4Way Pictures), Jane Tranter (成人论坛 Controller
of Drama Commissioning) and David Thompson (Head of 成人论坛 Films).
