Fly a Flag for Poplar

Poplar's long tradition of political and social activism is on show in this community film.

Poplar's long tradition of political and social activism is illuminated in this ambitious feature-length film. The east London district has been home to both grassroots and high-profile radicals, from social reformer George Lansbury in the 1920s to the contemporary Teviot Festival Committee. This film was made by Liberation Films, a non-profit company which grew from a group of anti-Vietnam War activists.

Liberation Films evolved from activists into filmmakers producing campaigning films in local communities and were particularly active in the 1970s. One of the group commented about Fly a Flag for Poplar: "Of course, the film was a catalyst too. When we finished it we took it around in the community where it was made and led people in an examination and a reflection on their lives and whether they might want to intervene in the future to change them."