WWII veterans who star in a heart-warming documentary about an extraordinary veterans’ charity road trip to The Netherlands, are reuniting for an evening of song and celebration in Sussex this weekend. The event, ‘Acts of Remembrance’ at the Kino-Teatr, St Leonards-on-sea includes a screening of Janet Hodgson’s film, Return of the Liberators, which documents a trip to Holland by over 100 war veterans in 2015 and is being shown as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. The film was made with the London Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled – a charity run by black cab drivers. Having built their trust, Janet accompanied them with a small film crew in a convoy of 96 London black cabs to The Netherlands in 2015, where the veterans took part in commemorations for the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. Around ten of its stars will be transported to Sussex by London cab drivers to watch the film and then join in a wartime sing-song around the piano with pianist Robert Connelley. The event includes a pre-screening talk by anthropologist Gemma Aellah who will talk about remembrance and a Q&A with the filmmaker, Janet Hodgson. Gemma will joined by her 96 year-old Dutch grandmother who experienced occupation and liberation first hand and will meet some of the veterans who were involved in the liberation of Holland during WWII. The film explores remembrance from several different perspectives – cultural, personal and public – and includes music performed by the veterans themselves. Janet says: “The whole event is a kind of alternative, celebratory act of remembrance. The film, too, touches on themes of remembrance and commemoration, whilst capturing the spirit of camaraderie amongst the veterans.” The charity was recently voted the winner in the charity category of the National Lottery Awards Where: Kino-Teatr, 43-53 Norman Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 When: Sunday 6 November 2016 5-8 PM More information on the ESRC website at www.esrc.ac.uk/news-events-and-publications/events/acts-of-remembrance/
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