Today I'm With You

[spot]

For anyone who missed it and can access the BBC iPlayer schedule, I've just watched what could well be the most powerful multi-layered piece of television reportage I've ever watched. Of all places, it's a comparative photo-study of Byker looking at the 1960s and the last five years from the perspective of the residents, of the price of a deliberately destroyed community and the totally unexpected redemption to be found there today.

Thank you Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, the dedication which went into that was worth every moment.

BBC iPlayer - Today I'm With You

[G#Gill]

Well, thank you spot! I watched that and really enjoyed it. As you say, such dedication from Sirkka! I would think it would be totally fascinating to people who live in Newcastle! I don't think there are very many film-makers/photographers who gather together such an extraordinary record of life in one particular place. Firstly in the 60s then returning in 2005, even meeting up with children of the 60s who had got children of their own, and people who remembered her from back then, and their interesting views of the changes that had occurred. A remarkable record, well presented.

[Snowfire]

That was wonderful. I love social documentaries. I'm a little disappointed that someone thought the need to add some subtitles when none was needed. One of my favourite parts of the original film was the piano player and fiddle doing a turn in the pub. Its an enduring memory of mine seeing the old women drinking their milk stout in the snug and just occasionally, someone would make a racket on the out of tune stand up in the saloon.

Wetherspoons have never been an attraction of mine

[spot]

Snowfire;1334136 wrote: Its an enduring memory of mine seeing the old women drinking their milk stout in the snug and just occasionally, someone would make a racket on the out of tune stand up in the saloon.When I was a barman - you know I used to work behind a bar when I was a lad? - my shift was most often the public (with the sawdust floor) instead of the lounge (with the carpet). Nobody but the manager ever opened up the snug, that was his personal turf. The old women in the public had a marked preference for nursing a barley wine, one for the first half and the other for the rest of the evening. Nobody from the lounge would have dreamed of coming in there and everyone in the public knew their place and preferred it that way.

For some reason they quite took to me so long as I was on the far side of the bar, I don't think I ever discussed life with so many people before or since. But yes, the early scenes from the pubs were very reminiscent.

Did I ever mention I once sat through an impromptu half hour of Russ Conway playing a well-worn stand up in a run-down bar after the locals talked him into livening the place up? No side to him at all, he didn't take over, he just enjoyed doing it.

[Snowfire]

spot;1334138 wrote: When I was a barman - you know I used to work behind a bar when I was a lad? - my shift was most often the public (with the sawdust floor) instead of the lounge (with the carpet). Nobody but the manager ever opened up the snug, that was his personal turf. The old women in the public had a marked preference for nursing a barley wine, one for the first half and the other for the rest of the evening. Nobody from the lounge would have dreamed of coming in there and everyone in the public knew their place and preferred it that way.

For some reason they quite took to me so long as I was on the far side of the bar, I don't think I ever discussed life with so many people before or since. But yes, the early scenes from the pubs were very reminiscent.

Did I ever mention I once sat through an impromptu half hour of Russ Conway playing a well-worn stand up in a run-down bar after the locals talked him into livening the place up? No side to him at all, he didn't take over, he just enjoyed doing it.


Now I cant get "Trampoline" out of my head.

I've a lot of admiration for someone who can drink barley wine without so much as a wince

[Kathy Ellen]

I would absolutely love to see this film. Unfortunately, I can't download it....message says 'unavailable in your area.' damn:-3