The 68th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) pulled the documentary Undercover: Exposing the Far Right, directed by Havana Marking, at the last minute. The organizers made this decision due to concerns over the safety and well-being of staff, security personnel, and audience members. The film exposes the activities of far-right activists in the U.K. and reveals their connections to the U.S.
Festival director Kristy Matheson explained the decision in a statement. She said, “After exploring all viable options to screen this film at a public festival, we made the heartbreaking decision not to present Undercover: Exposing the Far Right at the LFF.” Matheson praised the film, calling it one of the best documentaries of the year. However, she emphasized the importance of ensuring that festival workers feel safe and that their mental health remains protected.
Experts raised concerns about potential risks, which influenced the decision. Matheson stated, “I listened to the expert opinions of colleagues about the safety and well-being risks that screening this film could pose to audiences and the team. This informed our decision, which we did not take lightly.” Despite the decision, she reiterated the film’s importance and wished it success moving forward.
Read: Political Turmoil Surrounds Constitutional Amendments in Pakistan
Documentary Tracks UK Far-Right and U.S. Links
The BFI, through the BFI Doc Society Fund, helped finance the documentary. It follows investigators from the organization Hope Not Hate as they track far-right factions in the U.K. These groups plan demonstrations and intimidation campaigns, and the film also uncovers links between a British far-right activist and U.S. groups.
Although the LFF canceled the screening, Channel 4 will air the documentary on Monday. This shift from a theatrical release to a television debut represents a significant change in the film’s rollout.
Director Havana Marking expressed frustration with the decision. She told The Observer that she found the outcome “very unfortunate.” While she understood the need for the festival to protect its staff, she was angry about losing the film’s planned theatrical release. “I am furious that we lost a theatrical release so late,” she said.
Fears about potential violence arose after recent far-right riots in Britain. Marking noted that the LFF believed it could not screen the film due to security concerns. However, she also argued that while the far-right poses a real threat, people tend to exaggerate its power. “The power of the far-right is exaggerated, although their influence is clearly dangerous,” she concluded.
Despite the cancellation at the LFF, Undercover: Exposing the Far Right will still reach a wide audience with its upcoming debut on Channel 4. This decision has sparked discussions about the complexities of screening controversial films, but the documentary will still deliver its critical message to the public.
