VIDEO NEWS is a new resource for the labour movement by Pat Edlin and Pat Byrne which is both politically valuable and technically competent The weakest section of the first issue is the first main piece, which looks at Labour's move to the right since the death of John Smith and the launch of the SLP.
The problem is not primarily political - though it is rather soft on the late John Smith who is painted as a bit of an angel - as if everything was fine in the Labour Party before the demon Blair. Rather what is much more unsatisfactory is that the authors don't express any opinion of their own as to whether the left should stay in the Labour Party or leave to join the SLP. Rather they pose only a weak comment that history will decide. Dramatically this is totally flat and undermines the whole section.
This is followed by a more powerful critique of the right wing policies being followed by Housing Associations- which the Tories have pushed as the alternative to coun. cil housing. Focusing on Circle 33, it shows how a swathe of Labour MPs who are friends of Mr Blair's have combined vicious attacks on workers jobs and conditions with attacks on tenants rights. The sheer hypocrisy of people who claim to be in favour of 'stakeholding'-so long as it is by yes men and yes women is graphically demonstrated by the dismantling of the democratically elected tenants representatives committees at Circle and the handpicking by Hodge and her It is a high quality product, with some imaginative use of technology and stimulating content cronies of their puppets to replace them. The views of the film makers are certainly clear on this occasion The review of "Land and Freedom' is not just another opportunity to watch that glorious footage but a dis. cussion with Loach about how he sees the focus of the film and how it has been received in Spain.
The film has proved extremely popular among Spanish youth who have been deprived of this aspect of the history of their country. 'Video News' takes up the debate with those who nave been critical of 'Land and Freedom' for its view of the International Brigade -previously the most well known participants in the Spanish Civil War. Loach's rebuttal of these complaints is concise but convincing.
A powerful finale on the evolution of South Korean trade unions combines inspiring footage of huge demonstrations with savage attacks on them by riot police. Some of the voice-over commentary is rather glib here but it is still worth watching for the sheer size of the actions and the discuscions with those involved.
All this is interspersed with extremely witty send-ups of TV ads and apposite but rather too wordy comments on the need for partisan media to combat the rubbish put out by the multi-nationals.
Overall its a high quality product, with some imaginative use of technology and stimulating content. Subscribe -and more importantly get your trade union or Labour Party to do so.
VIDEO NEWS Contact: PO Box 10395, London N7 THY. Subscriptions: Individuals 10 per issue, 30 per year (4 Issues). Trade Unions ete 20 per issue, 60 ber year
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