The Way I See It
Seven short films inspired by Birmingham residents’ take on the first year of the new Labour government.
DATE
2022
FUNDED BY
Arts Council England
SUPPORTED BY
The Exchange,
University of Birmingham,
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall,
Nechells POD,
Edgbaston Community Centre,
Erdington Arts Forum,
Stan’s Cafe,
Women & Theatre,
How Brave Is The Wren
In Summer 2024, we proudly appointed ourselves as Birmingham’s first ever Unofficial Election Artists, at the start of a pivotal year for both the city’s and the country’s political fortunes.
During the frantic weeks before and uncertain months beyond the General Election, we heard from people across all ten constituencies about their hopes and concerns for the future of Birmingham.
Now, inspired by 147 hours of interviews, 268 voicemails to our Hotline and 339 WhatsApp messages, we’ve produced seven short films which home in on some of the recurring subjects and stories which mattered most to our contributors.
Like so many of those who contacted us, the characters in these films are full of contradictions. They have plenty of strong opinions but often feel nervous about expressing them for fear of criticism or cancellation. They want things to be different, but they worry whether that change will turn out to be for better or for worse.
When it comes to the bins or the NHS, the climate crisis or even the usefulness of our vote, the way they see it may not be exactly the way you see it — but in their sense of deep uncertainty, we think you’ll find that they are very much like the rest of us.
The Way I See It: Change
At his local polling station, a twenty-one-year-old is full of excitement as he votes in his first General Election and celebrates the value and importance of us all exercising our democratic rights.
The Way I See It: Rubbish
Hunting for a lost wedding ring amongst his bags of uncollected rubbish, a man discusses his neighbours’ wildly opposing views about the bin strike.
The Way I See It: Health
A doctor’s receptionist praises the NHS while fielding the demands of patients’ calls to the surgery hotline.
The Way I See It: Food
Between collections, a delivery driver reflects on the food waste and the food insecurity he sees around him across the city.
The Way I See It: Libraries
As her branch closes for the final time, a community librarian highlights the vital need for such spaces and the services they provide, a need that goes way beyond the borrowing of books.
The Way I See It: Climate
While trying to decide if she should go on her friend’s overseas hen do, a woman agonises over how much responsibility she can (or should) have when it comes to saving the environment.
The Way I See It: Future
A primary school teacher finds hope in the people of the city and their power to shape the world we live in for the better.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director, Filmmaker and Sound Designer | Gareth J. Nicholls
Writer and Production Manager | Philip Holyman
CAST
Film #1 — CHANGE
Gabriel | Olugbeminiyi Bammodu
Film #2 — RUBBISH
Matthew | Laurence Saunders
Film #3 — HEALTH
Iris | Alison Belbin
Film #4 — FOOD
Serkan | Alex Aram
Film #5 — LIBRARIES
Advika | Eleanor Rattenbury
Film #6 — CLIMATE
Jessica | Emma Waterford
Film #7 — FUTURE
Karina | Adaya Henry
FUNDER
Funded by Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants
FOR LITTLE EARTHQUAKE
Co-Director | Gareth J. Nicholls
Co-Director | Philip Holyman
THANK YOU
Every single one of our amazing interviewees and contributors across Birmingham, for telling us the way they see it; Arts Council England for their support for the project; Laura Milner and the team at The Exchange; Michelle Smith and the team at Stan’s Cafe; Jenny Moore at How Brave Is The Wren; Katherine Hewitt and the team at Women & Theatre; Linda Muirhead and David Crisp at the Department of Drama & Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham; Nick Nicholls.
