Film Lens
Taking Liberties is a British documentary directed by Chris Atkins that examines the decline of civil liberties in the UK and the rise of government surveillance during Tony Blair's administration. The film begins with a depiction of peace protesters being detained by police on their way to RAF Fairford in March 2003, illustrating the government's response to dissent. It includes animated sequences that recount key historical events related to civil rights, such as the Reichstag fire and the establishment of the European Convention on Human Rights, which were intended to prevent the recurrence of totalitarianism.
The documentary features various personal accounts, including that of Rachel North, a survivor of the 7/7 bombings, who criticizes the New Labour laws that undermine civil liberties. It also covers incidents of police actions against protesters, such as the arrest of Maya Evans and Milan Rai for holding a memorial service outside Downing Street. The film critiques the government's surveillance measures, including ID cards, and questions their effectiveness in preventing terrorism, making a case for the protection of individual rights against state overreach.
Why Watch
- •See Rachel North's perspective on civil liberties post-7/7.
- •Find out about the police response to peace protests in 2003.
- •Meet activists like Maya Evans and their fight for protest rights.
Did You Know
•The film was released in the UK on 8 June 2007.
•Tony Benn discusses the expulsion of Walter Wolfgang from the Labour Party Conference.
•The film features archive footage of Tony Blair defending laws that contradict the European Convention on Human Rights.
•Chris Atkins visited Counter Terror World 2006 to discuss surveillance technology.
Perfect For
Civil liberties advocatesPolitical history enthusiastsSurveillance technology critics