Brighton based artist Katy Beinart and film maker John Edwards have worked closely with local residents on A Difficult Place – a short film that reveals the true cost of the cost of living crisis in Brighton.
The film reveals that Brighton residents are turning off their fridges to save energy, abandoning their social lives and becoming depressed and anxious as they struggle to afford enough food
Caroline Lucas will introduce the film: “I first saw A Difficult Place on a visit to the Phoenix Estate having just met with members of the local community – and I was completely blown away,” she said.
“The film is a such a powerful testament to the terrible human impact of this cost of living crisis and the wider social and economic damage of years of austerity. It’s also a moving story about community and generosity and how amazing people in our city come together when policy fails them. It’s a must watch for everyone in Brighton – and beyond”.
Set up by local volunteers during the Covid pandemic, the Phoenix Food Shop supplies around £40 of food to its members for just £7.50 every week – offering them a lifeline, as the film shows. It works with big retailers like Marks and Spencers and Waitrose who donate their surplus food through a charity called Fare Share.
The film screening will raise money for the Phoenix Food Shop’s festive hamper appeal for 50 families. The hampers will contain meat, fresh vegetables, festive treats and small toys.
“The hampers will make a huge difference to our members,” says Sarah McCarthy who set up the Phoenix Food Shop in 2020 with other residents of the Phoenix Estate in central Brighton. “Christmas can really put a strain on household finances. It’s a time when everybody wants to celebrate with their families. This just isn’t possible for many people, both in and out of work, while the price of food in the shops is so high.”
A Difficult Place is part of a long term partnership between the Phoenix Food Shop and the Phoenix Art Space nearby, where over 100 artists have their studios, including Katy Beinart.
“By working with our local community we hope that we’ve shown how the arts can shed light on a vital issue that affects growing numbers of people,” Katy Beinart says. “We were inspired by the way people have come together to fight food poverty.”
Nearly four million people in the UK are struggling to afford their most basic physical needs to stay warm, dry, clean and fed, according to recent research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation – a million of them children.
Tickets for the screening are £10. Either book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/
or pay on the door.
Proceeds will go to the Phoenix Food Shop festive hampers appeal.
The screening of the 15 minute film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
For further information on A Difficult Place or the Phoenix Food Shop please contact:
Lynn Hanna
[email protected]
NB The Phoenix Food Shop is open from midday to 4 pm on Thursdays, including the 7th Dec before the film screening, when residents featured in the film, Katy Beinart and John Edwards will be there.
www.phoenixfood.org
https://www.justgiving.com/
This project was part of the University of Brighton’s Ignite (2022/23) community-university partnership programme, which is funded under the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Impact Acceleration Account.
It was also supported by Phoenix Arts Space and the Phoenix Food Shop.