Bradford Riots

Film-Friendly Liverpool Braves Riots to Make a Film

Liverpool has confirmed its status as one of England's most film-friendly cities by encouraging Channel Four and Oxford Film and Television to film Bradford Riots (a TV feature that explores the aftermath of the rioting in Bradford in 2001) in the city.

The sensitive nature of the film, particularly after the tragedy of the London bombings in July 2005, and the envisaged disruption of a three-day riot scene being filmed in a city, meant that it was difficult to find a suitable location for the shoot. The support of North West Vision's Liverpool Film Office, Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool based LA Productions, meant that the production came to Liverpool (the 2008 Capital of Culture).

A total of £500,000 was spent in the city during the three weeks of shooting on Merseyside, a huge benefit for the local economy.

Nicolas Brown, Producer said:

"The support from Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool Film Office and the Merseyside police was crucial in achieving a difficult shoot at a very sensitive time. I was hugely impressed by the attitude of all those organisations and individuals who helped us and would thank them all for making my job much easier!"

Lynn Saunders, Liverpool Film Office manager, said:

"This was a sensitive project, but by working with partner organisations and the local community we were able to ensure that filming went smoothly.

The production team used local crew and facilities wherever possible, benefiting local businesses and helping sustain jobs locally.

Liverpool has an ambition to be the most film-friendly city in the country and where possible we do all we can to make the production process as easy as possible, because we recognise the important contribution the industry can make to the local economy.

Thousands of people are employed in film and TV related careers across Merseyside, and attracting large scale producers such as Channel 4 creates huge opportunities for them."

Stuart Cosgrove (Channel 4 Director, Nations & Regions) said:

"Channel 4 has an international reputation for challenging film and television. This is another major achievement and will demonstrate that Channel 4 viewers have a hunger for programmes that cut to the controversial heart of British society."

Neil Biswas (Writer/Director) spent two years amongst Bradford's Asian community researching the film.

Bradford Riots tells the story of Karim, a young Pakistani student, his family and community in the aftermath of the disturbances, which took place in Bradford in July 2001. The police conducted a search for those present on an unprecedented scale, which resulted in large numbers of young Pakistani men being given prison sentences, the harshest and most widespread for public disorder since the Second World War.