Southwold

July 10, 2016

Southwold 2013

Southwold sea, 2003

Southwold 2013

Southwold 2004

Southwold 2013

Southwold 2004

Southwold 2013

Barcelona

July 9, 2016

Barcelona 2005

Barcelona Museum Of Contemporary Art 2005

Skateboarding in Barcelona, 2005

East End Film Festival 2016

July 8, 2016

I started making films with Hazuan Hashim in 2002 and for the last 8 years our films have been selected by the East End Film Festival (EEFF). This year we submitted a programme of four short films.

“Founded in 2000, the East End Film Festival is one of the UK’s largest film festivals. An annual multi-platform festival held in London, the EEFF presents a rich and diverse programme of international premieres, industry masterclasses, free pop-up screenings and immersive live events. The EEFF’s mission is to discover, support, and exhibit pioneering work by global and local independent filmmakers, and to introduce viewers to innovative and challenging cinematic experiences.

Attracting an annual audience of more than 30,000, the EEFF has established itself as a major international film festival situated at the heart of London’s most dynamic quarter. Committed to the work of first and second time directors, the annual EEFF showcases more than fifty feature film screenings, several short film programmes, and a variety of cross-arts events and industry activities across the festival.”

This year Hazuan Hashim directed a film about my work as a photographer. ‘The Photographer’ goes on line today and can be viewed below.

Phil Maxwell (left) with Dougie Wallace (photo Hazuan Hashim)

On our way to the opening of the festival at the Genesis cinema we were fortunate to bump into the photographer Dougie Wallace. In my view Dougie is one of the finest photographers in the UK. I’ve always regarded him as an eclectic cross between Brassai and Weegee. In recent years he has broken new ground in street and documentary photography.

Hazuan registers for the festival

Hazuan with Tyrone Walker-Hebborn, director of the Genesis cinema

In the past the Genesis was the Paragon Theatre of Varieties. Charlie Chaplin performed there as well as Laurel & Hardy.

In 1963 there was the royal premiere of the film Sparrows Can’t Sing, starring Barbara Windsor. She also attended the Genesis opening in 1999 and told the story to that premiere. Today the Genesis, thanks mainly to the vision and dedication of Tyrone, is one of the foremost independent cinemas in the UK.

With festival Director Alison Poltock

Against all the odds festival Director Alison Poltock has managed to keep the festival going, inspiring a small army of volunteers who are passionate about film. Her love of the East End has ensured the festival is not dominated by big-budget films; she promotes work that reflect the communities of East London.

With composer Lola Perrin

We have collaborated with composer Lola Perrin for many years. Her “hauntingly compelling” music appears in many of our films. Her piece for six pianos accompanied our film ‘Barcelona’.

Q&A following the premier of ‘The Photographer’ at the Rich Mix cinema (photo: Abdul Hamid)

Following the premier of our films there was a Q&A chaired by Stefan Dickers, archivist at the Bishopsgate Institute (where my archive is stored).

Women protesters against racist murderers. Newham 1980’s (still from ‘The Photographer’).

You can watch ‘The Photographer’ below:

The Photographer from Hazuan Hashim and Phil Maxwell on Vimeo.

Tony Blair: Guilty Of War Crimes?

July 7, 2016

When Tony Blair was first elected Leader of the Labour Party I had the dubious pleasure of photographing him on a number of occasions. Following the publication of the Chilcot report I am now happy to resurrect these images and put them to good use!

In the words of Kate Hudson of CND “The Iraq war was a disaster, a disaster that began with a lie. If Tony Blair and other politicians responsible had told the truth it would never have happened. A country was destroyed, millions of innocent Iraqis were killed, British soldiers were killed, and terrorism has spread across the Middle East. Those responsible must now be brought to justice.”

Tony Blair

Sir John Chilcot said the 2003 invasion was not the “last resort” action presented to MPs and the public. There was no “imminent threat” from Saddam – and the intelligence case was “not justified”, he said.

Tony Blair

Tony Blair overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, sent ill-prepared troops into battle and had “wholly inadequate” plans for the aftermath, the UK’s Iraq War inquiry has said.

Tony Blair

The 2003 Iraq invasion was “an act of military aggression” and a “catastrophe”, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said. Responding to the publication of Sir John Chilcot’s inquiry into the war, Mr Corbyn said MPs had been “misled” in the run-up to the invasion. He also apologised on behalf of Labour and called for more powers for the International Criminal Court.

Tony Blair

Chilcot confirms Tony Blair must now be brought to justice

CND, Stop the War and many others gathered in Westminster listening to the revelations of the Chilcot report.

Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “The report shows that Tony Blair had no respect for cabinet procedure, no respect for Parliament, and no respect for international law. A country was destroyed, millions of innocent Iraqis were killed, British soldiers were killed, and terrorism has spread across the Middle East. Chilcot reveals the evidence that must now be used to bring Tony Blair to justice. This is our demand. Only when justice is served can we prevent disasters like the Iraq war ever happening again.”

Tony Blair

Memos sent by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to then US President George W Bush in the run-up to the Iraq War shine a light on the extent of the relationship between the two leaders. The memos sent between 2001 and 2007 were released alongside Sir John Chilcot’s report of his inquiry into the Iraq War. Mr Bush’s replies were not included in the report.

In one memo to George Bush Blair says “I will be with you, whatever… ”

Tony Blair (photomontage)

Speaking in response to Chilcott Jeremy Corbyn said “There are many lessons that need to be drawn from the Iraq war and the investigation carried out by the Chilcot Inquiry for our country, government and parliament as well as for my party.

They include the need for a more open and independent relationship with the United States particularly as we face the prospects of a new and potentially more hawkish presidency and for a foreign policy based on upholding international law and the authority of the United Nations which seeks peaceful solutions to international disputes.

We also need much stronger oversight of the security and intelligence services full restoration of proper cabinet government and to give parliament the decisive say over any future decision to go to war based on objective information not through government discretion but through a War Powers Act.

Finally, we need Britain to join the 30 countries including Germany and Spain that already support giving the International Criminal Court the power to prosecute those responsible for the crime of military aggression.”

Police arrest Tony Blair outside Parliament (photomontage)

Below you can watch the Anti-War film I co-directed with Hazuan Hashim: ‘Not In Our Name’. Starring Tony Benn & artists against the war. It seems as relevant now as when it was made in 2008.