On Saturday 20th October 2018 around 700,000 people marched through central London in support of holding a second referendum on Brexit. There were men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds peacefully expressing their views in the glorious autumnal sunshine. The atmosphere was inclusive, friendly and positive with smiles prevailing over frowns.
This video was shot on one roll of 16mm film and I think it encapsulates the feeling of the day perfectly. The poem was written by Brian Bilston and read by Julian Barratt, with accompanying music by Raffertie.
I hope you enjoy it.
——-
As I grow old
I will not shuffle to the beat
of self-interest
and make that slow retreat
to the right.
I will be a septuagenarian insurrectionist
marching with the kids. I shall sing
‘La Marseillaise’, whilst brandishing
homemade placards that proclaim
‘DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING’.
I will be an octogenarian obstructionist,
and build unscalable barricades
from bottles of flat lemonade,
tartan blankets and chicken wire.
I will hurl prejudice upon the brazier’s fire.
I will be a nonagenarian nonconformist,
armed with a ballpoint pen
and a hand that shakes with rage not age
at politicians’ latest crimes,
in strongly-worded letters to The Times.
I will be a centenarian centurion
and allow injustice no admittance.
I will stage longstanding sit-ins.
My mobility scooter and I
will move for no-one.
And when I die
I will be the scattered ashes
that attach themselves to the lashes
and blind the eyes
of racists and fascists.
——-
Directed by Josh Shinner
Poem by Brian Bilston
Read by Julian Barratt
Music by Raffertie
Sound by Rich Wilkinson
Graded by Wild Island Films
