PHIL MAXWELL

Hazuan Hashim and myself are still making the film ‘From Cable Street to Brick Lane’. Most of the documentary films we make have artists in them. We believe the observations and work of artists enables us to open up different ways of understanding a subject. Although their art is subjective it opens up new avenues for understanding the subject matter of the film in a way that is both visually engaging and informative for the viewer.

Bob and Roberta Smith with Alice Sielle. London 2011

Bob and Roberta Smith and Alice Sielle both contribute to our film about the battle of Cable Street. Here they are seen outside Bob’s Bethnal Green studio. Alice (above) is holding a copy of Bob’s latest book. Alice is first and foremost an abstract painter but has produced some graphic figurative work for the film and used the only known photograph of the murdered Altab Ali to produce several compelling images.

Bob and Roberta Smith painting in his studio. Bethnal Green, London 2011

Bob and Roberta Smith painting in his studio with Hazuan Hashim (right) filming. Bethnal Green, London 2011

Bob has created a new work for the film based on his father’s recollections of the battle of Cable Street. In the film he discusses the work and the thoughts of his father and their influence on him.