A new documentary is set to shed fresh light on the Toxteth Riots.
Award-winning Liverpool filmmaker James Arthur Armstrong’s short film explores the violence which rocked the city’s L8 community in summer 1981.
‘Sin Bin of the City’ also delves into the political and social upheaval of the city’s black community during that period.
Through archive footage with first-hand testimony, the film aims to unravel events of that fateful summer and hears the voices of the community at the centre of the conflict.
Prominent figures from the Toxteth community have provided testimony for the documentary.
They include Wally Brown, Chair of the Community Relations Council at the time of the riots, and John Lamb, who worked alongside Michael Heseltine in the Merseyside Task Force.
James obtained newsreel footage for the film after winning the ITN Source Short Film Competition at the 2016 Sheffield Doc/Fest with his micro-short documentary ‘Ferguson, Missouri’.
First prize was access to the vast archives of ITN Source and the right to use its material in his next project.
“For many people, the events of the summer of 1981 are something that should be forgotten – a blot on the history of a city and a community that is best left in the past,” said James.
“This film aims to re-open the history books, bring unheard accounts to light and, most importantly, reflect on the modern relevance to wider communities today.
“History should be something that we learn from, not something we ignore.
“Sin Bin of the City is currently in the final stages of production with hopes of community screenings and tours of the film festival circuit from Autumn 2017.
“There is the hope that, in addition to film screenings, there can be a wider discussion on, and engagement with, the themes and issues presented in the film.”
‘Sin Bin of the City’ will be shown at venues across Liverpool as well well as on the autumn festival circuit, from next month.
Screening Dates
Friday, October 13
Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre
Screening: 8pm (with filmmaker discussion)
Note: First public screening of the film, and is a private event for the residents of Liverpool 8 only.
Saturday October 14
Museum of Liverpool
Screening: 1:30pm (plus Q&A with filmmakers and Anna Rothery)
Free admission: open to public
Wednesday, November 8
Constellations
Screening: 8pm (plus Q&A with filmmakers, Anna Rothery and Wally Brown)
Free admission, open to public
Note: This event will also be the launch of a two-week long gallery exhibition displaying newspaper excerpts, photographs and unheard audio interviews