News/Update from Fiona Evans, Project Co-ordinator

December 2007 - January 2008

Things are moving on apace at the Living Memory Lab. 20 films have been produced so far...only another 80 to go! Don't worry though we have until Christmas 2008 to get these made.

Before Christmas we ran a film-making course with women of mixed heritage. This produced some really interesting films exploring family ancestry and the sometimes very challenging issue of identity. Also before Christmas we ran a public course which produced a short film about child slavery and another which looked at the depressing existence of an Eastern European sex worker.

The new year has brought new creative challenges. Refugees First have signed up for the project and we are currently running a course for some of their Iranian beneficiaries very masterfully translated from English into Farci by Roya their Coordinator. This has produced films that give us a glimpse into the fascinating history of the Persian Empire including the life of King Cyrus who abolished slavery during his rule. Cyrus was responsible for freeing the Jews from Babylon and produced an artefact called the Cyrus Cylinder.

With its references to just and peaceful rule, and to the restoration of deported peoples and their gods, the Cyrus Cylinder has been seen as an early 'charter of human rights'. . The return of the Jews and other deported people showed that he was more tolerant than earlier Babylonian and Assyrian kings. The film maker was particularly keen to counter the very negative portrayal of the Persian Empire depicted in the recent release "300".

On a very different angle a very touching narrative has been produced by Plymouthian Sarah Dewar which is called ‘Sensing Slavery’ which attempts to bring to life sights and sounds experienced by slaves held in boats moored in English ports. In February the project returns to the Barbican Theatre to work with Collective Voices, young people with an interest in the arts and cultural work...so watch this space.

If you or an organisation you work for would like to get involved with the Living Memory Lab send me an email at fiona.evans@bbc.co.uk

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