Oh Jeremy Corbyn: the big lie

Oh Jeremy Corbyn: the big lie
Directed byChris Reeves
Produced byNorman Thomas
Production
company
Platform Films
Release date
  • February 2023 (2023-02)

Oh Jeremy Corbyn: the big lie is a 2023 documentary film about the former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Synopsis

This article is part of
a series about
Jeremy Corbyn
Backbencher
Elections
Cultural depictions

According to Morning Star, the film documents Jeremy Corbyn's time as the leader of the Labour Party, internal struggles in the party, and accusations of anti-semitism.[1] The film presents events as a conspiracy against Corbyn and the anti-semitism allegations as inaccurate.[1] It accuses Keir Starmer of campaigning against Corbyn while serving in his shadow cabinet.[2]

Production and screenings

The film was produced by Platform Films and released in February 2023.[2] It premiered in the UK on 9 February 2023.[3] It was directed by Chris Reeves and produced by Norman Thomas.[3] Alexei Sayle narrated,[4] whilst Graham Bash, Moshe Machover,[5] Chris Williamson, David Miller,[6] Andrew Murray and Jackie Walker contributed to the documentary.[7]

A planned screening of the film on 25 June[6] at Glastonbury Festival 2023 was cancelled by festival organisers, following a complaint from Marie van der Zyl of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Van der Zyl stated that the film promoted hatred and falsely accused the Board of Deputies of being involved in a conspiracy against Jeremy Corbyn.[7] The Jewish Chronicle reported that Norman Thomas rejected the antisemitics accusations.[6] After the cancellation a group known as the Activist Video Collective claimed to have shown the film at the Speakers Forum tent during the festival.[8]

Portsmouth Film Society scheduled two screenings of the film in August 2023.[5]

Critical reception

Author Rachel Shabi, noting that the film attributes all complaints of antisemitism in the UK Labour Party to Israeli interference in British politics, wrote that the "film does make central an argument based on antisemitic conspiracy layered upon conspiracy."[9] Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi of Jewish Voice for Labour has written that a film which has been widely vilified and even banned deserves to be seen, heard and discussed."[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Duarte, Maria (9 February 2023). "Red on red". Morning Star. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b Lazenby, Peter (21 July 2023). "Sir Keir asked to condemn 'vicious campaign of censorship' of film exposing abuse of Corbyn". Morning Star. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b Trinder, Matt (25 January 2023). "Ken Loach blasts Sir Keir as a 'tool of the establishment' in new documentary". Morning Star. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  4. ^ https://www.platformfilms.co.uk/
  5. ^ a b Wright, Josh (20 July 2023). "Controversial film about Jeremy Corbyn to have its age rating reviewed by Portsmouth City Council". The News (Portsmouth). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "'The Big lie' film is not antisemitic says producer after Glastonbury showing axed". The Jewish Chronicle. 21 June 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b Baker, Tim (20 June 2023). "Glastonbury cancels screening of Jeremy Corbyn 'conspiracy theory' film". Sky News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  8. ^ Steafel, Eleanor (23 June 2023). "'Anti-Semitic' Corbyn film shown at Glastonbury despite being pulled from schedule". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  9. ^ Shabi, Rachel (25 June 2023). "The popularity of the 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn' film shows the left's festering issues are mounting". inews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Reasons to see "Oh Jeremy Corbyn: The Big Lie"". Jewish Voice for Labour. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.