A special screening and discussion cinema event with filmmaker Tom Draper

In the 1960s, T. Dan Smith had an extraordinary vision for Newcastle. As leader of the City Council, he set out to transform the city through ambitious redevelopment, modern architecture and a belief in a new future for the North East. But his political career would become entangled in one of Britain's biggest corruption scandals, leaving a complicated legacy that continues to shape Newcastle today.

Made in 1987, Amber Films' T Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia explores the rise and fall of one of the region's most controversial political figures. Combining documentary interviews, archive footage and fictional drama, the film examines the promises of post-war modernisation, the destruction of established communities and the often-hidden relationships between political and commercial power.

Made in close collaboration with Smith himself, the film resists easy conclusions, inviting audiences to question the competing accounts of his achievements, his conviction and the city he helped create.

What is discussion cinema?

In the 1970s, independent film collectives, including Amber, helped develop a different approach to cinema. Films were screened in community spaces, workplaces and independent cinemas, with discussion forming an essential part of the experience.

These screenings treated film as a starting point for collective debate. Audiences were encouraged to challenge what they had seen, share their own knowledge and experiences, and explore the political and social questions raised on screen. The conversation belonged to everyone in the room.

We're revisiting that tradition for this special event.

Following the screening, Tom Draper will lead an open discussion exploring Smith's vision, the politics of redevelopment and the lasting consequences of decisions made more than half a century ago. Rather than a traditional Q&A, everyone will be invited to contribute, question and disagree.

Whether you remember the Newcastle of T. Dan Smith, have an interest in the city's history or simply want to explore how our cities are shaped, we'd love you to join the conversation.

About Tom Draper

Tom Draper is a filmmaker and director of the forthcoming documentary Brasília of the North, which examines the legacy of T. Dan Smith and his impact on the politics, society and built environment of North East England. This project was awarded the Doctoral College Prize at Newcastle University in 2026.