The lines were drawn between the Callaghan government and their passive support of the anti-immigrant National Front and the opposition to this status quo by the more forward-thinking youth of the time. This situation found its champions in Red Saunders, Jo Wreford, Pete Bruno, and others. They conceived a one-off concert called Rock Against Racism as a reaction to the racist rhetoric put forth by Eric Clapton, yes that Eric Clapton.

That concert helped start a movement that led a highly politicised fanzine called Temporary Hoarding and to further concerts that culminated in a gig in Victoria Park in Hackney. That event started with a protest march from Trafalgar Square to the East End of London that drew 100,000 people and featured musical acts The Clash, Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson Band, X-Ray Spex, and Jimmy Pursey (from Sham 69).

The documentary is presented with a sympathetic take on the cut and paste feel of a fanzine, and highlights the point that when focused, the will of the people (even small numbers at first) can create a level of attention to help make change possible. It speaks to the abhorrent pull of systemic racism that that moment of progress feels so distant today.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/IconFilmDistribution.Au

The National Front, a far right and fascist political party, is gaining strength as politicians like Enoch Powell push a xenophobic agenda. Outraged by a racist speech from Eric Clapton, music photographer Red Saunders writes a letter to the music press, calling for rock to be a force against racism.

NME, Melody Maker, and Sounds all publish the letter. Flooded with responses, Red discovers many share his views. Teaming up with like-minded creatives Roger Huddle, Kate Webb, Syd Shelton and Australian graphic designer Ruth Gregory, the team bands together to create Rock Against Racism (RAR) and a fanzine, Temporary Hoarding.

Speaking directly to the youth, Temporary Hoarding reports stories and issues that the mainstream British media ignores, like immigration, the Catholic side of the Northern Ireland conflict, and the police’s controversial “suspected persons” (sus) powers. They give a voice to the voiceless.

The National Front begins to strike back, committing acts of violence against RAR supporters and petrol-bombing their HQ. Despite this, RAR spreads virally across the UK and into Europe, becoming a grassroots youth movement. The Clash, Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson and other top bands of the day jump on board.

White Riot is a moment in time when music changed the world. When a generation challenged the status quo. It’s Woodstock meets the March on Washington, punk-style.

White Riot will be released in Australian cinemas March 18!

www.facebook.com/IconFilmDistribution.Au

Rock Against Racism (RAR) was formed in 1976, during a hostile environment of anti-immigrant hysteria and National Front marches. As neo-Nazis recruited the nation’s youth, RAR’s multicultural punk and reggae gigs provided rallying points for resistance.

As founder Red Saunders explains: ‘We peeled away the Union Jack to reveal the swastika’. The campaign grew from Hoxton fanzine roots to 1978’s huge concert in Victoria Park, featuring X-Ray Spex, Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson and of course The Clash, whose rock star charisma and gale-force conviction took RAR’s message to the masses.

White Riot will be released later this year.
www.facebook.com/IconFilmDistribution.Au