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Why Support the Miners (1984)

Amber Current Affairs Unit

Why Support the Miners (1984) image
Still from Why Support the Miners, 1984 ©Amber Films / Amber Current Affairs Unit

Why Support the Miners (1984)

Short documentary film created as a pilot for The Miners' Campaign Tapes, a series created by independent filmmakers to support the miners' strike.
  • Film and Video
  • Communities
  • Northern Documentary
  • Politics & Struggles
  • UK Documentary
  • Work & Unemployment
  • 1980 – 1989
  • County Durham
  • UK

Amber Current Affairs Unit, 9 mins, 1984

Why Support the Miners was produced by Amber's Current Affairs Unit as a pilot for The Miners' Campaign Tapes, a series created by independent filmmakers to support the miners' strike. Building on the approach of Amber's earlier work, News From Durham (1983), this 'trigger tape' aimed to initiate discussions within trade unions and community groups about the underlying issues of the strike and the experiences of miners and their families. ​

Amber played a significant role in the Workshop Movement, which was supported by agreements between the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians (ACTT), Channel 4, the British Film Institute (BFI), and Regional Arts Associations. This collaboration facilitated the production of The Miners' Campaign Tapes, a series of six films co-ordinated and produced within the Workshop Movement, with Amber contributing to the series.

Why Support the Miners reflects Amber's commitment to social realism and advocacy, providing a platform for the voices of striking miners and their communities during a pivotal moment in British industrial history. The film serves as a testament to the power of collaborative filmmaking in amplifying grassroots movements and fostering dialogue around pressing social issues.

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© Amber Films / Amber Current Affairs Unit

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