Voices from the Knitting Circle – Documentary

  • Black and white photo of two elderly white women facing each other and laughing. Betty, on the left, has short brown hair and Miriam, on the right, long white hair in plaits.
  • Actor Penelope Freeman in a screenshot from the film ‘Voices from the Knitting Circle’.
  • A black and white photo of former residents and survivors Mary (left) and Rosie (right). Two white elderly women in their living room. They comfortably sit on armchairs and laugh.
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Photo of the two awards received at the Picture This Film Festival.

Photo of the two awards received at “Picture This…Film Festival”

  • Screenshot of the online discussion panel event on Zoom. The image is split into 6 square blocks of equal size depicting profiles of the speakers and the company logo. Top row, from left to right: JulieMcNamara in a living room setting, Vital Xposure's red logo against black background and Clare Edwards the BSL Interpreter against a neutral blue background. Bottom row, from left to right: Penelope Freeman in a living room setting, Mandy Colleran's photo portrait wearing big glasses and a pair of headsets with mic, and Deni Francis against a neutral green background.
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The digital journey of the documentary in autumn 2020: online screening and discussion panel with actors. Read more and watch the recording.

An award-winning documentary that provides a chilling glimpse into the secret worlds and stolen years inside the long care asylums. Were all these people truly Mad, Bad and Dangerous? Who is next?  

Julie McNamara created The Knitting Circle in 2013, a theatre production based on the testimonies of people who survived the long care asylums closed in the 1980s. Each of the actors were matched with people who lived or worked inside long stay hospitals.  

This short documentary film follows the voices of some of the extraordinary people who entrusted us with their life stories. What reverberates is the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit, and the art of laughter amongst the tears.

“It was love and mischief that saw us through.”

Mary, aged 80

Picture this…film festival, Canada’s international disability film festival has awarded Voices from the Knitting Circle Best Documentary over 30 minutes and Best of Festival at their 17th annual festival, April 11-14 2018 

Picture This film festival Picture This film festival

CREATIVE TEAM

Director Julie McNamara
Camera Operator & Editor Zeynep Dagli
Additional Editing Services Lesley Willis
Executive Producer Chas De Swiet
Production Manager Rhiannon Kelly 
Interviewer Rachel High 
Storytellers Iris Noden, Naomi Luke, Paul, Derek McCarthy, Rosie Clarke, Mary Robins, Shriya Mehta, Priscilla Surfaz, Gertrude Grey, Miriam, Betty
Actors Penelope Freeman, Deni Francis, Mandy Colleran 
Additional images provided by Mark Davis 
Audio Description script Louise Fryer
Audio description Rhiannon Kelly 
Titling Joshua Branson, Shaza Hamza 

“Despite the hideous acts these individuals were subjected to, ‘Voices’ imbues them with a magnificent fortitude that leaves their dignity forever intact.”
James Zaatka-Haas, Disability Arts Online

“…very engaging… innovative camera work… strong acting… brilliant imagery… creatively put together… human emotions exposed… authentic…”
Jury comments from Picture This… Film Festival 2018

“This was an amazing film, tender, brutal, beautiful and joyful, every community should see.”
“When stories surface from conspiracy and cowardice into the light of day the sun burns bright.”
“Moving to hear people’s stories. Not to be forgotten.”

Audience feedback (Hackney Picturehouse, June 2018)

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