Blog

Greenbelt at 40: The Film

Over the next year, we’re joining forces with the talented folks at Blue Hippo Media to create “the definitive film about Greenbelt’s 40 year history”.

The film will be a feature-length documentary, bringing together archive footage with interviews with the key people behind Greenbelt’s journey from a Suffolk farm in 1974 to where we are today and beyond.

We’ll bring you more news as we get it, including ways that you can support the film and get involved.

Paul Northup, Greenbelt’s director says:

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Blue Hippo Media on the production of its 40th Anniversary Film Documentary. Not only do Blue Hippo know the festival and its history, their work epitomises the creative spirit at work in the Greenbelt journey over all these years – in films like the award-winning “The Insatiable Moon” and, more recently, “Last Shop Standing”.

Last Shop Standing – a documentary about the UK’s independent record shops – is screening around the UK (dates can be found on the website) or can be bought on DVD from your local independent record shop.

• 19 October 2012
• 6 comments

Comments

• John Cheek says:

  This sounds very exciting – I hope that the FIRST Greenbelt, in 1974, is fully covered, as I’ve done a lot of research into it, and I think that people forget just how radical something like Greenbelt was, back then…particularly given the context of what the church was like, in this country.

  There was an atmosphere of sheer joy and freedom, in ’74. Apparently, one Greenbelter paraded around in a loin-cloth, whilst wearing a bowler-hat: people suddenly had the freedom to do something like that, in a Christian setting, at last!

  19 October 2012 17:28

• pip piper says:

  Thanks John, be good to correspond via email to see what research you have unearthed , we will of course be looking back at the first festival…
  best Pip

  21 October 2012 20:12

• Dave watts says:

  Look forward to the film. my first Greenbelt was 1977.
  after the Fire, Giantkiller lots of good memories and still really enjoying it

  23 October 2012 17:49

• Nick Drury says:

  Can’t wait to see this masterpeace and relive some happy memories. My first Greenbelt was at Odell, Bedfordshire about 1978 (I think ?!). JCB dug pits for loos, Graham Cray, Cliff Richards, After the Fire and …. that unknown, fresh faced band from Ireland… um, what did they call themselves ?… U2, I seem to remember- whatever happened to them ? Now bringing along my daughter and friends at the same age as my first Greenbelt Festival.

  30 October 2012 00:47

• Louise Bland says:

  There are tons of great footage recorded by Media Team- of just people at the festival and interviews from the first year, some of these tapes are in the office. There is some excellent, fresh footage.

  Louise

  10 November 2012 10:04

• Stuart Scott says:

  My first Greenbelt was 1975 and am still atte..nding most years. I was 18 then and my two children are now 18 and 21 – they have missed very few festivals. I have a considerable archive of photos, worship material, programmes etc. and even the green vinyl LP. Looking forward to the DVD.

  10 November 2012 20:48

Leave a comment