DAUK Film Night

Pops roped me into going to see two documentary films shown by the Democrats Abroad UK. On friday night. Not really sure what posessed me. I roped in Bails.

We arrived. On the door was a man who looked like he was trying to emulate a 30s movie star - blue suit, very high pulled up trousers with red braces, round thick rimmed glasses, bald. He looked rather suprised but I think that was because of his prescription. Inside everyone was very serious and intellectual in a sort of academic kind of way. We tittered at the back.

The hosts of the event couldn't quite decide what to do - start on time or wait for those who hadn't arrived yet. They waited. For half an hour. On starting there was some confusion as to whether to explain why we were here and what the Democrats Abroad news was. In front of us 5 people sighed heavily and finally piped up that since we were starting late couldn't we skip the speeches. Herman thought yes, perhaps we should and then launched into a brief intro, only to be interrupted by the long Joan Baez haired woman who snapped either we skip it or I'll do it. Herman shut up. Joan Baez hair started into her speil. The 5 huffed and sighed and squirmed in their seats.

So then they started the film. The lights in the lecture theatre dimmed. The video started. It was barely audible. Someone asked for the volume to be turned up. Herman, at the podium with the controls turned the lights on and off for a couple of minutes, evidently trying to find the volume. Then he lost the picture (data projectors - rather temperamental). Then he found the picture and turned the lights back on. Then 2 others ran up to help. The three of them stood round the podium turning the lights on and off, losing and finding the picture. Finally they said its as loud as it can get (better to blame the equipment than admit defeat). Bails, Pops and I had quiet hysterics. Lights out, picture on, some debate as to whether the film (which had been running through the lights on lights off section) should be rewound to the beginning. The 5 said NO. The rest of the audience thought yes. It was rewound and begun again. Still could barely hear it.

We left after the first film. Is it any wonder they couldn't win an election Pops wondered later.

Was an interesting film though - Unconstitutional about how the Patriot Act went too far too fast.