Working Class Film

Listen to Venezuela by Deirdre O'Neill and Mike Wayne

A feature length documentary attempting to represent a complex and collective process of revolution. In Venezuela, ordinary people have rejected the savage neo-liberal capitalism that has been imposed the world over. In Venezuela, the once marginalised majority have become political actors in a story they have reclaimed from the Venezuelan oligarchy, western business interests and political domination from Washington.

Find out more about the film here

The Foodbank Film by Deirdre O'Neill and Foodbank Users

A short documentary exploring the people of people using foodbanks.

The Condition of the Working Class by Deirdre O'Neill and Mike Wayne

This film is inspired by Engels’ book written in 1844, The Condition of the Working Class in England. How much has really changed since then?

In 2012 a group of working class people from Manchester and Salford come together to create a theatrical show from scratch based on their own experiences and Engels’ book. They have eight weeks before their first performance. This film, full of political passion and anger, is a wonderful testament to the creativity, determination and camaraderie of working people that blows the media stereotypes of the working class out of the water.

Learn more about the film here.

The Acting Class by Deirdre O'Neill and Mike Wayne

It is by telling stories that a society talks to itself, finds out about itself, and engages with the rest of the world. What kind of stories do we tell if only 10% of actors come from working-class backgrounds?

Actors Chris Eccleston, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Maxine Peake, Samuel West, and others talk about why this situation should concern everyone and how things have got harder since they entered the industry. This is not a film about acting; it’s about the lack of working-class representation on our stages and our screens. It’s a story of social inequality and how that impacts the performing arts.

Learn more about the film here.