Why 'The Killing of Tony Blair' documentary sets a new benchmark

Galloway makes a decisive win

Back in August MP George Galloway launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise financing for 'The Killing Of Tony Blair', a documentary, that would uncover the Blair legacy and the controversies surrounding it. After releasing a short video explaining what the project was about, Galloway's passionate plea to the public paid off, and he received tremendous support.

On the 7th October, the project finished its run and earned more than 3x its funding goal. So what makes this documentary project so important and why do we consider it a 'benchmark'?

Crowdfunding has given filmmakers of all backgrounds the opportunity to make personal projects and share them with likeminded people. In this example we have a politician who is going down the creative route to produce a feature-length documentary about a controversial figure that many have strong views on. There are still unanswered questions about the Blair years from the Iraq War to the former Prime Minister's personal "jet-set" lifestyle. What this campaign does is it brings those public opinions to the table, where they can be expressed through film.

George Galloway has been a controversial figure since 2003 when he was expelled from the Labour Party, but until now we never saw him in this way, becoming the creator, and proactively showing people what he's going to expose.

It's significant because the relationship between 'politician' and 'the public' changes. We often seen politicians from afar, behind the smoke-screen of the media, and we don't really know who they are or what they are about. (The Killing of Tony Blair crowdfunding campaign.)

A project like this allows people to see George Galloway from a different perspective, and to see his personal convictions in actions, rather than in interviews and speeches. It's also proven how he, as a public figure, has authority and credibility, because he is able to clearly articulate this project to the public and get their support.

On a social level it is a victory because it proves that people do have the power to make their views heard. Outspoken politicians who have been marginalised by mainstream media, yet hold popular support should look at this excellent example as a way forward to speak about their issues. Getting creative with the community is a powerful thing, because it involves them. When you do that, you no longer talk at people, you act with them, and here we have a bold example from someone who has taken his argument one step further.

With that said, this documentary project is social proof, and a benchmark case study that people of all walks of life can go down the creative path to make their views heard. It is a considerable achievement for activism and political filmmaking in the UK and people, now more than ever, can explore this avenue to make their views heard.

Personal message of George Galloway

Disclaimer: Film Industry Network UK is not affiliated with any political party or institution in Great Britain.