Watch a documentary following the life of the Kew Bridge ecovillage and Democracy Village in Parliament Square for free next week.
Filmmaker Dean Puckett moved into the West London ecovillage to properly get under the skin of the movement, which took over a piece of derelict (albeit owned by developers) land on Kew Bridge Road in summer 2009. The community built an ecofriendly village, growing vegetables, recycling waste and living in simple structures until their eviction in May 2010.
Some of the campaigners then moved into Democracy Village, which began as a protest site alongside Brian Haw (who wasn't fond of his new neighbours), but eventually ended up attracting perhaps more homeless people than protesters – as author Charlie Carroll vividly demonstrates in his book No Fixed Abode. Puckett's film Grasp the Nettle documents the rise and fall of these social movements over three years.
If you want to see what really went on in these encampments that carried on in our midst, reserve your free tickets for one of two screenings at Camberwell's Whirled Cinema (the Guardian loves it). Dean Puckett will also be on hand for a Q&A.
Grasp the Nettle is showing at Whirled Cinema, 259-160 Hardess Street, SE24, on 2 and 3 September, 7pm. Tickets are free but reserve via Eventbrite. Poster designed by Lee Bruce.
