*

AKE DIKHEA?: The Last Nomads – Film screening and discussion. A critical insight into the criminalisation of nomadic communities in the UK

In English
Free admission

Gypsies, Travellers and Roma have been part of Britain’s history for centuries. But they have also been the objects of state policies of oppression and discrimination for just as long.

In 2022, the UK’s new Police Bill will make it impossible for them to preserve their traditional nomadic way of life, giving police the power to seize their trailers and all their possessions, leaving them destitute. Drive2Survive is the grassroots movement resisting and opposing this new threat to this nomadic culture’s survival.

The documentary “The Last Nomad” follows the development of Drive2Survive. It portrays their activists as they work on building a strong campaign, organizing the community to stand together in resistance. Through them we understand what they are protecting and why it matters, learning just how much we are about to lose.

 

Following the film screening, filmmakers and activists will discuss the historical and current situation of the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma* communities:

Jake Bowers, journalist, producer, media teacher and film maker, Protagonist of “The Las Nomads”

Charles Newland, Filmmaker and jury member of the 6th International Festival of Romani Film AKE DIKHEA?

Dominic Watters, co-director of “The Last Nomads”

Moderation: Lisa Smith, co-curator of the 6th International Festival of Romani Film AKE DIKHEA?

The Last Nomads
U.K. 2021
31’

Directors: Daniel González-Franco and Dominic Watters

Daniel González-Franco, inspired by Indiana Jones and nap-inducing daytime TV docs, studied archaeology and history, and acquired an MSc in Media Production to combine Hollywood’s magnetism with the dull but informative research. He works cross medial to talk about culture, environmentalism and social issues.

Since graduating with a master in Science Media Production, Dominic Watters has worked as a documentary researcher for several science programmes. Outside of his professional work, he is particularly interested in journalistic storytelling, especially the kind that sheds light on various social issues.

Script, Cinematography, Editing, Sound, Production: Daniel Gonzalez-Franco and Dominic Watters
Music: Scott Buckley, Marcelo Rabago, Theo Travis

Special thanks to: Robert Sternberg
Thanks to: Jake Bowers, Sherrie Smith, Marc Willers and to John Doe, Thomas McCarthy, Rory McAllister

The event is part of the 6th International Festival of Romani Film AKE DIKHEA?, which takes place from 24 – 30 October 2022 in the BABYLON and the Grüner Salon of the Volksbühne. Financed with funds from the Spartenoffene Förderung of the Senate Department for Culture and Europe.

The entire festival programme: akedikhea.com/en/program