Sunday 18 August 2013

Unmade Beds and Pickled Fish: What should socialists say about Contemporary Art?

This week's meeting was on Contemporary Art. Here's one comrade's view of
the talk and discussion. Enjoy!

When I first became involved with socialist politics, I brought with me an assumption that a socialist future would be drab, utilitarian and without much time for, or interest in, art and culture. This is an idea that many outside the left might have of socialism, perhaps inspired by the hauntingly grim brutalist architecture of Stalinist Russia and so many British towns and city centres, uniform in their blank functionality and frequent ugliness.

This myth is just that. An important belief of many of my new comrades was that in a socialist society, where the focus was not on creating a surplus to maintain a capitalist class there would be more space and time for the arts rather than less – became increasingly solidified in my mind. Art and culture are frequent subjects of our meetings, and art and cultural reviews feature prominently in the party’s monthly magazine, Socialist Review.

The meeting of Thursday 15 August was a particular treat as we heard from one of our branch members about their passion for contemporary art. Sue shared with us one of her passions and asked whether, as socialists, we should engage with contemporary art.

The talk began with a definition of contemporary art and Sue suggested that the best definition which she could find was that offered on the website of the Baltic Art Gallery, Gateshead:

What does ‘Contemporary Art’ mean? It means that the art belongs to the present day. A contemporary artist is alive today and makes art works to show in galleries and public spaces. Unlike modern art, contemporary art is not defined by a list of schools of art, time periods or styles of art. 

The talk focused on looking at some key contemporary art of the past hundred years, starting with Marcel Duchamp's Fountain (1917) and posing the question as to why it shouldn’t be considered art. Sue suggested that whilst we often focus on the artistic movements which began in the 60s and 70s as representing the beginning of contemporary art, it was in fact as early as Duchamp that the idea was first formed that something which you have picked up could be art and presenting everyday items in new lights and from new perspectives could be artistic in itself.

We were shown some of the controversial pieces and had an opportunity to find out more about some of these as well as to simply look at them in new ways. There seemed consensus in the room that ‘The Fountain’ was beautiful, though some pieces were more controversial and split opinion. A particular favourite of mine was the opportunity to see in close up a section of a three dimensional model which was closely inspired by Goya’s ‘Disasters of War’ No. 39. Seeing a close up image of a section of the Chapman brothers’ model of the same name, alongside an image of Goya’s original, was quite striking and gave a sense of the newness in terms of material and innovation but the sense of tradition and continuity which ties contemporary art to its predecessors.

Goya

Chapman (cont. p94)
Another favourite piece of mine was the Marc Quinn sculpture made using the artist’s own blood. As Sue pointed out the process of continuous renewal which is required as a result of the chosen medium, and the link between the sculpture and the tradition of death masks, I was able to see the connection between this new and perhaps shocking piece of work and the tradition of sculpture which had come before. The challenge to notions of how much you put into your own art was combined with a beautiful and compelling piece of art. In fact, one of the key arguments of Sue’s talk was that in spite of the sensational aspects of much of contemporary art, the major themes which have always been in art continue to inform contemporary artists’ work in much the same way. Self-portraits, reactions to war and questioning conceptions of beauty were shown to be key factors in contemporary art as much as more traditionally accepted art forms. We also looked at some of the attempts to blur the boundaries between crafts and fine arts and everyone was in agreement that Grayson Perry’s ‘We’ve Found the Body of Your Child’ (2000) was a thought provoking and beautiful piece of art, full of ambiguity and wonder.

Grayson Perry, We've found the body of your child, 2000
Having explored some of the themes of contemporary art in this way, Sue moved on to explore the political nature of contemporary art. Looking at Rachel Whiteread’s holocaust memorial in Vienna and the negative impressions of houses which were demolished around them, Sue showed us that contemporary art is often linked to the wider political climate. Deller’s ‘Battle of Orgreave’ (2001) is a photograph of a re-enactment of the infamous confrontation where the police attacked a mass picket during the 1984-5 Miners’ Strike. This piece has a clear political element to it, as do Harvey’s ‘Maggie From White Riot’ (2009) and ‘Myra’(1995).

However, whilst there are some challenging and politically engaged examples of contemporary art, there are some artists and examples of work, particularly amongst the ‘Young British Artists’ which were shown to be right wing and capitalist in their approach. In many ways, Sue was able to show us that this group were very much Thatcher’s children and had benefitted from the patronage and investment of members of the nouveau riche such as Charles Saatchi.

Sue opened the discussion up about whether contemporary art is right wing and what view we may take of it as socialists, leaving the image of Hirst’s ‘For the Love of God’ (2007) looming down at us from the screen at the front.
A lively discussion ensued as to whether there is any value for socialists engaging with contemporary art given the commoditisation and right wing nature of some of this art but given the political engagement which some of it embodies. In the end, though opinions were split; it seemed we could all agree that to some extent, as with all art, personal engagement with the individual piece based on its aesthetic and contextual appeal would determine which art we liked and which art we reacted strongly against.
Whilst our speaker was a clear fan of Tracey Emin’s earlier work, for example, and was able to talk about the power of the famous self portrait ‘My Bed’ (1999) to be both very personal and self-obsessed but to translate to all women nonetheless, she was also very critical of her later works including ‘More Passion’ which was gifted from Emin to David Cameron and reflects perhaps a betrayal of earlier ideas.

One comrade quoted stand-up comedian Stewart Lee, who said that ‘great art should be mysterious and opaque.’ As the Hirst sculpture loomed across the room, we questioned whether there was anything opaque in his work. Perhaps this is why we reacted less positively to his work than some of the other artists and, as Sue pointed out, why he was one of the few Young British Artists who has not been granted any of the establishment honours that his contemporaries have received. It was certain that most people in the room engaged with this far less than any of the other works which we had seen.

It may be that, in the end, we were still unable to determine whether our politics should have any bearing on our engagement with art, but we certainly had an enjoyable and lively discussion and got to see and hear about a range of familiar and unfamiliar examples of contemporary art and consider how recent artists’ work responds to and reflects the society in which we live.

Next week's meeting, 22nd August, will be on 'Marx and Religion.'

Derby SWP Weekly Update #4

Hello everyone,
Welcome to your essential guide to the week in Derby!

SWP Branch Meeting – Marx and Religion
What is religion? Does it have anything to do with God? What attitudes should Marxists have towards religion? Can you be an atheist and still believe that Richard Dawkins is dead wrong? Some of these questions and more may well be answered at this week's branch meeting. All welcome.

Thurs 22nd August 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby.



Demonstrate Against the Tories
On the 29th September the Tories will be holding their conference in Manchester. The trades unions and campaign groups have called a massive demonstration against them and their policies. If you would like to join in and need transport, let us know by replying to this email.



For more details see the Unite The Resistance website here: http://uniteresist.org/2013/06/marchonthetoryconference/



Unite Against Fascism
There is a relaunch event for UAF in Derby on Monday 19th August, 5.30-7 pm at St James Centre in Normanton.

If you are concerned about the attempts of the EDL and BNP to march in several cities recently, come and join us to get an active and broad-based group going in our city.


Unite the Resistance
The assault on workers from plummeting pay to zero hour’s contracts has brought the question of organisation in the workplace to centre stage. At the 4000 strong Peoples Assembly it was clear most delegates wanted to see a stronger response to austerity from the unions. Strengthening trade union organisation in the face of attacks by the employers and the government is a crucial task for every socialist. This conference can play a real part in building the resistance to the bosses and the Tories. We should be fighting to get new activists signed up alongside long time trade unionists. This is a place for all of us to learn the lessons of previous fights, discuss today’s workplace experience and to develop strategies to make the workplace the centre of resistance to austerity. We should be fighting to get as many trade union branches and campaign groups backing this event as possible. Download the model motion to back the conference here. Register now here.


Rally to defend education
On Saturday 14th September there will be a rally to defend education in Nottingham. We want this to be as large an event as possible and any available comrades should make sure they are there. The government has been attacking education with the same viciousness that they have shown in health, and teachers are taking strike action in the autumn to defend education for every child.
The rally will aim to build teachers' confidence and public support; so come and make it big and loud enough to be heard in Westminster!
Transport will be available, email us for details.


Derby People's Assembly
The People's Assembly have been holding public events to raise awareness of the September 29th demonstration against the Tories and the Derby People's Assembly launch event on October 26th. If you would like to help out, there is a regular stall on Saturdays from 12 pm on St Peter's Street, next to the SWP stall. We have committed to helping the stall on a rota basis – see you there!


Teachers on strike
The two largest teaching unions, NUT and NASUWT are engaged in a rolling programme of strike action in the autumn. The first will be in the week commencing September 30th, which Derby will be involved in. Before this there will be a rally in Nottingham on 14th September which we would like to get as many comrades to as possible. Further updates as we have them.



Fire Brigades ballot for strike action
FBU: Firefighters’ ballot: Firefighters are balloting for national strike action against attacks on their pensions. FBU members could face mass sackings as the government forces firefighters to work to 60 years old. We need to get into as many of the fire stations as we can the latest SW leaflet arguing for a yes vote. You can download the leaflet from http://swp.org.uk/resource/246


Derby LGBTQ Pride -cancelled
Unfortunately, it appears that Pride has been cancelled this year, due to problems with fundraising. More here: http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Gay-pride-event-cancelled-lack-funds/story-19672603-detail/story.html#axzz2cKNHsupN


Marxism 2013 recordings
Marxism is our annual festival of political meetings, discussions and events, the largest of its kind in Europe. Meetings on a huge range of subjects, from the uses and abuses of Gramsci to the tricky topic of socialism and Doctor Who are attended by thousands of people.
Thanks to much hard work by Kevin and the recording team, audio versions of many Marxism 2013 meetings will soon be available at www.swpradiocast.bandcamp.com There will also be a range of videos available on our Youtube channel.

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Derby UAF meeting now scheduled

The UAF relaunch meeting has now been scheduled. Hope to see as many comrades and fellow anti-fascists as possible at the meeting next Monday.

5.30 pm - 7pm Molineux Room, St James Centre, Normanton.

Anyone not familiar with the work of UAF, which is a broad anti-fascist coalition, please see their website at http://uaf.org.uk/

Sunday 11 August 2013

Derby SWP Weekly Update #3


Welcome to your weekly guide for anyone who is mad as hell and not going to take it any more. :)


SWP Branch Meeting. Unmade beds and pickled fish – should socialists have anything to say about Contemporary Art?


This week’s meeting has a cultural theme as our resident art historian picks over the works of the Contemporary Art movement and asks: what relevance do Tracy Emin, Damian Hirst and the rest of the once-Young British Artists have to socialists?

Come along for a fun and lively discussion to the West End Community Centre, next to Britannia Mill. Thursday 15th September, 7 pm (see attached map)

UAF Relaunch Event

Unite Against Fascism is a broad coalition of anti-racists and anti-fascists set up to oppose the BNP and in more recent years the EDL. It is supported by the SWP, the Labour Party and unions such as the NUT. Derby has been fortunate not to have been target by the violent, racist thugs of the EDL, but with their recent attempts to capitalise on the murder of Lee Rigby anti-fascists everywhere must be prepared to defend their communities.

The UAF in Derby has unfortunately not been as active recently as in the past, but a re-launch event has now been organised. If you don’t want to see the EDL or BNP on Derby’s streets, it is essential that you make this meeting.

Two weeks ago, an SWP stall in Manchester was attacked by National Front members. We must remember that the fascists have not gone away and will return if they think they will not be opposed.

The meeting is to be held next Monday, 19th September, time and venue to be confirmed. An update posted here as soon as we have more information.

Action for Rail Event

The Derby Climate Change Coalition has organised an event at Derby station, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45. Peter Robinson, chair of the Coalition says: Rail fares are going up yet again. “On 13 August the inflation figure will be announced that will be used to calculate increases to regulated rail fares, like season tickets, from next year. From January 2014, your rail fares are likely to increase from 4% to 9%. Well ahead of your pay packet. Another squeeze on your living standards in these difficult times. Since the crash in 2008, rail fares have increased three times faster than average earnings.”

March on the Tories: Sun 29 Sept, Manchester

In many areas where the party organises coaches are now booked for the demonstration at the Tory Party conference on Sunday 29 September in Manchester.

It’s crucial that in every locality transport is booked now, before the trade union movement closes down for August, and that we immediately are part of filling the coaches that are booked and pressing for more.

This demo can be built everywhere. The NHS remains a potentially huge mobilising issue as the government flogs off more and more health services and rams through cuts and closures. We also have the inspiring example of Lewisham in south east London (following the victory at Whittington in north London) of how campaigning can make a difference.

The demo is backed by all the major unions and the TUC. It is a focus for everyone who wants to fight the Tories on any issue.

The TUC’s publicity has shifted from concentrating almost exclusively on the NHS to stressing the importance of the NHS but also the wider attacks on working people.

You can download the TUC leaflet and poster at http://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial/tuc-22405-f0.cfm

The demonstration could play a real part in raising the level of resistance to austerity in Britain. We are going into the autumn with teachers’ action already underway. There is also the potential for a fight in the fire service, the post and more action in the civil service.

Every SWP member, branch and district needs a plan for how we are going to maximise the turnout on this demonstration.

The 29 September march assembles at 11am on Liverpool Road near the Museum of Science and Industry. At 12.30pm the front of the march will set off via Deansgate and John Dalton Street for Whitworth Park, where the rally will take place - opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary - from around 2pm. The full listing for the rally is still to be confirmed but will include a range of national and local speakers, including TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady.

Each SWP branch needs to have a target list of major local workplaces that we are leafleting, union reps and activists that we are visiting and activity that we are involved in to build the protest. Every public Socialist Worker sale needs to become a centre of agitation for the protest. Everyone who signs a petition or buys the paper should take away a pile of leaflets and a sign up sheet for transport.

And of course alongside building the protest we want to build up the network of Socialist Worker buyers around every branch. You can download Unite the Resistance materials at http://uniteresist.org/2013/06/marchonthetoryconference/

Unite the Resistance – Organising to Win 19th October

Alongside the demo at the Tory conference, we want to build the biggest possible Unite the Resistance Organising to win event on 19 October.

The conference aims to bring together key trade union activists to debate the way forward. But its workshop format is also designed to strengthen workplace organisation, build unions and get more union reps.


Rally for Education

On Saturday 14th September there will be a rally to defend education in Nottingham. We want this to be as large an event as possible and any available comrades should make sure they are there. The government has been attacking education with the same viciousness that they have shown in health, and teachers are taking strike action in the autumn to defend education for every child.

The rally will aim to build teachers' confidence and public support; so come and make it big and loud enough to be heard in Westminster!

Transport will be available; email us for details.

Postal workers’ national ballot

Last week 500 postal workers’ reps in the CWU gathered in London to discuss the next steps in the battle against privatisation, over workload, to defend pensions and fight for decent pay.

They voted overwhelmingly to ballot the union’s 115,000 Royal Mail members no later than September for strikes.

This has the potential to be a massive campaign, centred on defending public services as well as workers’ rights.

Reps also passed amendments committing union leaders to put any offer to another policy forum/ special conference.

Union leaders outlined a number of key lines in the sand that they would not settle short of. This included saying the union would not agree any pay deal that is linked to pensions, and anything short of an above inflation pay deal.

It was also announced that if a strike is called the CWU would call “the biggest demonstration of postal workers, on the day of the strike, in London for many years”.

An updated leaflet for postal workplaces will be sent out this week.

Over the next month, branches and districts should consider what workplaces in their area should be leafleted and have paper sales and aim to get contacts.

Fire Brigades ballot for strike action

Firefighters are balloting for national strike action against attacks on their pensions. FBU members could face mass sackings as the government forces firefighters to work to 60 years old. The ballot closes on 29 August. We need to get into as many of the fire stations as we can the latest SW leaflet arguing for a yes vote. You can download the leaflet from http://swp.org.uk/resource/246

Give Bradley Manning the Nobel Peace Prize!

Bradley Manning faces a prison sentence of up to 136 years after being found guilty of 20 charges for revealing the war crimes carried out by the US and Britain. US author and peace activist Norman Solomon from the USA is on his way to present to the Nobel committee in Oslo a petition with over 100,000 names calling for Bradley Manning to be awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. Details, leaflet etc at http://stopwar.org.uk/

 

Friday 9 August 2013

What does the working class look like today?



The Derby branch meeting of Thursday 9 August returned to its usual format after last week’s film night, with a talk and discussion. This week we were fortunate to be able to welcome Richard Buckwell, a comrade from the Nottingham branch.

Richard’s discussion set out to address a number of the myths about the working class. It is a common narrative these days that the working class has fundamentally changed, or even no longer exists in Britain. We are told that the middle class is growing, that there is a growth in non-working families and ‘benefit scroungers’ and that the movement away from highly skilled manufacturing workforces has changed the nature of class.

Richard tackled these narratives by highlighting some of the inadequacies in these attempts to redefine the working class. Wikipedia’s introduction missed everything of importance; and a recent study by the BBC alongside academics from Manchester University suggested that we can now identify seven classes within society. However, this study based its definitions of class on cultural, educational and social factors rather than, as Marxists do, the relationship to capital and the means of production.

Marx’s own definition of the working class is that it is the class of people who have no other means of living other than by selling their labour power. Marx also suggested that because capitalist industry continually changes, the nature of the work done by the working class constantly changes too. One contributor highlighted this point by pointing out that sociologists have failed to reclassify doctors and still consider them middle class in spite of the development of the NHS and a shift in their general relationship to their means of production since they were generally self-employed. By returning to Marx’s definition we can see that it can be applied to white collar professionals and that the changing nature of work does not necessitate a break from the traditional class relationships.

Richard pointed out that with more people living in urban environments than not for the first time ever and therefore joining the working class. He then challenged the branch: as different and more difficult working environments are becoming more commonplace, with fewer large scale manufacturing companies and a growth of zero hours contracts, smaller workplaces and more white collar and service workers, how can revolutionaries engage with workers inside these environments? In his closing comments Richard hinted at the power of social media as a means of engaging with disenfranchised workers within these workplaces.

There followed a lively discussion on the nature of the working class today. We explored the relationship between wealth and class and several comrades agreed that class should best be understood by whether you own the means of your own production.

One comrade raised the question of the petty-bourgeoisie. Several comrades pitched in, pointing out that the petty-bourgeoisie do own their own means of production, but as often they do not maximise their capital by exploiting the labour power of others they are often faced with a decision as to whether their interests best lie with the working class or the capitalists. It was felt that this situation could lead to a vulnerability within the petty-bourgeois, who in times of difficulty could find that they are pulled between the left on one hand and fascism on the other. A challenge for the party could be in engaging small businessmen and shop owners to avoid them being pulled towards fascism as they were in the 1930s in Germany when it was un-unionised small businessmen who were worst hit by the recession and moved first towards fascism.

As the discussion developed, contributors gave several examples of continuing exploitation of members of the working class: regardless of their personal wealth but in relation to the imbalance between the value of their labour and the proportion of the value which they gain continues to grow. An example from a talk at Marxism was given: a worker in a technology shop might make £25,000 per year. This is a good salary and the worker is reasonably comfortable, however, they expected to generate an income for the company of ten times this. Through this example we can see that the capitalists are engaged in an incredible degree of exploitation of that worker’s labour power as much as lower waged workers. Another comrade added the example of a large workplace where workers are paid a salary of over £40,000, however, the supervision and pressure is constant.

With the large number of teachers and former teachers in the room, it is unsurprising that education came up as well (it is almost inevitable when you have so many teachers in a room that they will resort to discussing teaching, regardless of the fact that it is the middle of the summer!) It was proposed by one comrade that the value of a shop assistant is not in the production of goods but that they clearly do not own the means of their production. This is also the case for teachers and doctors and one lively and impassioned contributor pointed out that if the ruling class did not see value in education, health and other services which do not produce an obvious capital value then they would not invest in these things in the first place.

In the end, however much we expand the definition of the working class, unless people have a consciousness of their class and how to make change there is no value to this. Ultimately, the question has to be: ‘what do different workers have in common?’ The answer to this is sale of labour power and nothing else; status and wealth cannot take precedent over class.

After the discussion, Richard summarised the key points:
  • Social mobility globally, and in Britain in particular, is incredibly low – so commonly heard idea that with aspiration anyone can move between classes is largely an illusion, a result of the focus on perceived status rather than how individuals relate to political and economic power.
  • A priority in an era of low union density outside must be about how we can help workers on zero hours contracts to organise and reinforced the idea that the best way to act is through strikes which are the most powerful way to address the problems faced by the working class.
We were very grateful to our comrade for coming and sparking such a lively discussion and sharing his thoughts on the working class.
Books recommended by the speaker included:
Labour and Monopoly Capital’ Henry Braverman
Why the Working Class?’ part of the SWP reading group series.

Sunday 4 August 2013

Derby SWP Weekly Update #2



This week there's an exciting branch meeting, some dates for the diary, some industrial action, a bit more on the People's Assembly and podcasts too! Enjoy!

SWP Branch Meeting – What does the working class look like today?
This week's discussion will be on the shape of today's working class and how we should mobilise within and for it. Come along for an informed debate and to share your ideas!

Thurs 8th August 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby.



Demonstrate Against the Tories
On the 29th September the Tories will be holding their conference in Manchester. The trades unions and campaign groups have called a massive demonstration against them and their policies. If you would like to join in and need transport, email us for details.

For more details see the Unite The Resistance website here: http://uniteresist.org/2013/06/marchonthetoryconference/



Rally to defend education
On Saturday 14th September there will be a rally to defend education in Nottingham. We want this to be as large an event as possible and any available comrades should make sure they are there. The government has been attacking education with the same viciousness that they have shown in health, and teachers are taking strike action in the autumn to defend education for every child.
The rally will aim to build teachers' confidence and public support; so come and make it big and loud enough to be heard in Westminster!
Transport will be available, email us for details.


Derby LGBTQ Pride
This year's LGBTQ Pride event is also on the 14th September, on Friary Street. Any comrades who cannot make the rally in Nottingham should attend LGBTQ Pride and show solidarity with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.


Derby People's Assembly
Derby People's Assembly have decided to focus on building for the demonstration against the Tories on the 29th September.
There will be a banner, prop-making and discussion event on Monday at the People's Kitchen at Boyer St Community Rooms from 6:30-8 pm. The props will be for a People's Assembly display and countdown to the 29th September, for a planned weekly stall. All welcome.
There is also a launch event being planned for 26th October. Further details as we have them.

Teachers on strike
The two largest teaching unions, NUT and NASUWT are engaged in a rolling programme of strike action in the autumn. The first will be in the week commencing September 30th, which Derby will be involved in. Before this there will be a rally in Nottingham on 14th September which we would like to get as many comrades to as possible. Further updates as we have them.



Fire Brigades ballot for strike action

FBU: Firefighters’ ballot: Firefighters are balloting for national strike action against attacks on their pensions. FBU members could face mass sackings as the government forces firefighters to work to 60 years old. We need to get into as many of the fire stations as we can the latest SW leaflet arguing for a yes vote. You can download the leaflet from http://swp.org.uk/resource/246



Marxism 2013 recordings
Marxism is our annual festival of political meetings, discussions and events, the largest of its kind in Europe. Meetings on a huge range of subjects, from the uses and abuses of Gramsci to the tricky topic of socialism and Doctor Who are attended by thousands of people.

Thanks to much hard work by Kevin and the recording team, audio versions of many Marxism 2013 meetings will soon be available at www.swpradiocast.bandcamp.com There will also be a range of videos available on our Youtube channel.

Any comments, ideas or information about campaigns in Derby? email us at DerbySWP@gmail.com

Friday 2 August 2013

Land and Freedom - a comrade's review


Thanks to one of our Derby comrades for this guest post.

Land and Freedom

The Derby branch meeting on Thursday 1 August took a different format to usual meetings. After a report back from the recent activity in support of the People’s Assembly and the Unite meeting, the branch members sat down to watch Ken Loach’s ‘Land and Freedom’ (1995).

In a rather hot room, we were grateful for lots of cold drinks provided by a generous member of the branch and, after setting up and opening a few windows, the screening began. ‘Land and Freedom’ is not a short film but in spite of the heat comrades quickly settled and were transfixed by Loach’s take on the Spanish civil war.

In many ways, the film is about discoveries and there are two intersecting stories of discovery which span generations of the same family. Having lost her grandfather, Kim, played by Suzanne Maddock, begins to sort through David’s things. As she reads his letters and studies the newspaper clippings, Kim uncovers David’s past.

Along with Kim, we are on a journey to explore the past of David, a member of the communist party who is moved by a speech on the Spanish civil war and decides that he is going out to fight for the militia. However, David has a further journey of discovery to make and his experiences in Spain challenge his commitment to the communist party, his understanding of the complexities of the different groups involved in the uprising and his relationships with those people he meets along the way.

In his first letter home, David, played by Ian Hart, is confident that all of the different groups will be able to work together because they are all fighting for the same thing. Hart’s portrayal of the optimism and youthful passion which spurs him into action is beautifully done and, whilst it would be easy for a naive and optimistic youth to appear cliched and to be presented in a dismissive manner, Loach imbues him with a charm, complexity and sweetness that makes him real and empathetic.

Hart’s performance is consistently endearing. Nevertheless, fittingly for a film which deals so knowingly with socialist issues, the audience does not find itself consistently agreeing with or admiring the actions and statements of our hero. It is with time and the influence of those around him, as well as the experiences that he encounters, that David refines and develops his appreciation of the wider issues at stake. As such, David is one of an ensemble cast of socialists, communists, anarchists, militia, bourgeoisie and those simply motivated by their opposition to fascism. Though of course, one of the other stars of the film is the Spanish countryside itself, captured with expert photography to enhance and reflect the action.

The centre-piece of the film is, in many ways, a discussion amongst members of the militia and the residents of a village which they have liberated from fascist control. As a lengthy discussion of ideologies, this scene could all too easily feel contrived, yet with Loach’s sense of realism and his mastery of naturalistic dialogue, it becomes an incredibly insightful and dramatic response to the political issues at stake. The scene is, in essence, a beautiful and inspirational depiction of socialism in action, with quiet considered voices vying alongside impassioned speeches and lots of shouting, both in Spanish and English, as those who seek to influence the discussion are gently drawn into a genuine democratic assembly, in which the ideas put forward are discussed and voted on by all.

With a cast of well drawn and complex characters, the thing which really makes this film so moving and so typical of Loach’s work when it is at its best, is that whilst the problems faced by Spain’s elected republican government, both from the fascists and from within, are laid out, Loach manages to create a sense of optimism and the tangibility of a socialist victory. As ever, his films have the feel of reality but without the cynicism which could so readily have characterised a film about the Spanish civil war.
As the lights came back up in the hall, there were very few dry eyes but many smiles of uplifted inspiration. Loach’s treatment of this period of history shares similarities with Orwell’s ‘Homage to Catalonia’ and Hemingway’s ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’, as well as the more recent ‘Winter in Madrid’ (C.J. Sansom) but it is easy to see why writers and directors would return to the theme: the experiences of the Spanish civil war not only exemplify the problems which can face socialist movements but also reflect an almost unique experience: there was a genuinely peasant led socialist movement in mainland Europe which came close to being successful, and, at least in many villages, was able to institute collectivism, but which saw defeat snatched from the hands of victory. Loach’s contribution to this subject is highly recommended to anyone hoping to understand socialism, anyone interested in the civil war or Spanish history, and anyone who loves beautifully crafted stories.

Next week's meeting, 8th August, will be on 'What does the working class look like today?'