The UK is a wild and beautiful place, but did you know that the vast majority of it is off limits to the general public, and 92% of land and 97% of all rivers in England not legally accessible?
From Friday 8 May the new documentary Our Land dives into the complex terrain of the Right to Roam movement, exploring mass trespass campaigns and challenging age-old myths about property and place.
Synopsis
Through organised ‘mass trespass’ events, the Right to Roam movement sets out to increase public access to nature, but finds itself in conflict with England’s landowners.
Articulately presenting arguments from both sides, the film challenges age-old beliefs around property that have shaped our relationship with the land for over a thousand years. And as the battle for nature continues the film asks the vital question, who truly has the right to roam?
What the critics think
- “A film whose narrow scope speaks to the wider issue of inequality in the UK and the wider globe. Four stars” – Little White Lies
- “Right-to-roam campaigners offer bacchanalian antics and a heartfelt message. Four stars.” – Guardian
- “For the most part everyone’s thoughtful about the issues at hand, which are brought into sharp relief when a group of campaigners decide to hike from Scotland (where we have the right to roam) into England. As one rambler puts it while straddling the border: “My right leg is unlawful, my left leg is lawful.”– The Scotsman
If you like Our Land, here are three more films to discover…
On streaming: Cow [Mubi]
Andrea Arnold’s portrait of the life of a dairy cow called Luma, this observational documentary unflinchingly chronicles its subject’s daily life, from grazing in green fields to giving birth, making milk and everything in between.
On television: David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth
Friday 8 May, 20.30, BBC ONE
A live event from the Royal Albert Hall paying tribute to the veteran broadcaster on the occasion of his 100th birthday. The show takes the audience on a journey of exploration and discovery through the prism of Sir David’s extraordinary life and career, featuring wildlife stories, reflections from friends, colleagues and admirers, and music from some of his programmes.
At Pictureville: Northern Soul: Still Burning (15)
This exciting new documentary charts how this movement has weaved and transformed itself musically and culturally through the decades.
Exploring its roots and celebrated all-nighters at the legendary Wigan Casino, the documentary examines the roles that the music and DJs, dance, drugs, politics, class, fashion and much more have played in keeping the embers of Northern Soul burning over the years and how newer generations of dancers and DJs are setting the floors on fire in their own way for future waves of soulies.