Rebellion: A film about self-defence and the Bradford 12
About this Event
Join us for a screening of a powerful new documentary about community action against racism. Followed by director Q&A.
Doors open 5.45pm, screening starts 6pm. Please arrive with time to find a seat before we start.
About the film
In 1981, twelve young Asian men in Bradford faced terrorism charges after defending their community from a violent racist skinhead attack. They made petrol bombs for self-defence. Known as the Bradford 12, by arming themselves, they took direct action to ward off the greater threat of skinhead violence. The state labelled them terrorists, but the people rallied behind the slogan, “Self-defence is no offence.”
Their case exposed the intense racial tensions in Britain. Their arrest sparked fierce protests nationally and internationally, with thousands demanding justice for the Bradford 12. The lengthy, tense trial revealed a police force indifferent to racist violence, one that believed discrimination was necessary and had Special Branch surveillance on key defendants.
Ultimately, the Bradford 12 were acquitted - a landmark victory affirming the right to organised armed self-defence for oppressed communities. Their courage and solidarity challenged systemic racism and continue to inspire the fight for justice.
Directors
Tariq Mehmood is the co-director of Rebellion, a documentary on the Bradford 12 case, in which he was a defendant and successfully defended himself. He is a novelist and political activist based between Manchester and Beirut, and an Associate Professor at the American University of Beirut. He previously co-directed Injustice with Ken Fero through Migrant Media, and is editor of Lines of Fire: Poetry of the Afro-Asian Writers Movement, co-published by Daraja Press and AUB.
Ken Fero is a filmmaker, activist and educator who with Migrant Media has produced several hard-hitting documentaries for over 40 years examining community responses to issues of race, class and resistance for national and international broadcasters as well as cinema. He is internationally renowned for the multi-award winning radical films Injustice (2001) and Ultraviolence (2020) and is a published author. He was a founding member of the United Families & Friends Campaign and is co-convener of the People’s Tribunal on Police Killings.
Accessibility
Please contact us when you register to let us know of any accessibility requirements. See the Accessable page for Theatre B in the Roscoe Building.
Cancellations
We keep our events free but they do cost money to host. Please help us by cancelling your place if you can no longer come. You can do this by cancelling your ticket on Eventbrite or emailing us. This helps us reduce waste and it usually means that somebody else can use your place. Thank you!
Rebellion was made with the support of the BFI Doc Society Fund.
View the trailer:
https://vimeo.com/1214934424/608ca2fb58
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
