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Working The Land

1971 , Knettishall (Suffolk)

Cat no. 604

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Footage of a farm and interviews with farm workers shot over Christmas 1970.

This is a bleak, atmospheric film about the farm workers. It is shot on a farm in West Suffolk just before Christmas, 1970, often in the fog. It does not use incidental music, commentary or sound effects, allowing the voices of the men and the atmosphere of the farm to come through and to speak for themselves.The first shots of the film show the faces of farm workers, all smoking cigarettes. The brief commentary explains that farm workers receive just under ?15 per week, basic for a 42 hour week. Some also get a cottage. The last farm workers' strike was in 1923. However, every year, thousands leave the land for alternative employment. The farmer who is the subject of this film explains that he employs 7 men and 1 boy. Five of the men have worked on the farm for over 20 years. There are shots of the farm, showing the workers beginning their day before light.

Keywords

Farm workers; vox pops

Other Places

Knettishall, Suffolk

Manifestations

Working The Land

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