Franz Ferdinand and Director Alex Cox on Green Party Election Broadcast
Sun., April 24, 2005. 11:30.
Green Party Election Broadcast receives backing from top band and cult indie director
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY AND THE GREEN PARTY OF ENGLAND AND WALES
Internationally renowned, and top Scottish band, Franz Ferdinand have provided music for the Green Party Election Broadcast for the UK election. (1,2) The broadcast, to be screened on all channels on 28th April across the UK, has been directed by Alex Cox, well-known Director of Repo Man and presenter of the BBC series Moviedrome.(3)
The Greens are contesting the election on a platform of policies in the public interest, for the planet and for peace and are the only party offering a change to 'the same old parties'. They are delighted to have the support of Franz Ferdinand and Alex Cox.
Scottish Green Co-convener Robin Harper MSP said: "I am delighted that both Franz Ferdinand and Alex Cox have helped us produce our election broadcast. For young and old, our message is simple - if you want action for people, for the planet and for peace - vote Green. If you don't vote for what you believe in, you're never going to get it. Why settle for the best of a bad bunch when you can vote Green instead?"
Director Alex Cox said: "The experience of directing and producing the broadcast really opened my eyes to just how serious the Greens are as a political force. They are not the stereotypical cyclists in sandals - I reckon they hold the key to changing politics for good, and I would urge voters who think Green, to vote Green. Don't settle for anything else."
Green MEP Caroline Lucas said: "We are delighted to get the support from Franz Ferdinand. To get this kind of support is heartening and gives us great encouragement that the groundswell of Green support is getting ready to take to the political stage in some style. The Greens are picking up support from all corners, and it is only a matter of time before politics gets the shake up it desperately needs."
Greens are targetting around a third of the seats in Scotland and 182 seats in England and Wales. They say that a Green MP 'is possible' judging by European election results which showed the Green vote rise to nearly 20% in some constituency areas in Scotland, and in Brighton, 27%, where they beat New Labour.
The broadcast is available to view on Green websites from midnight on Sunday 24th April. Go to scottishgreens.org.uk or greenparty.org.uk
For more information contact the Scottish Green Party Press Office on 0790 99 33 074 or the Green Party England and Wales Press Office on 0781 429 7959 or go to the websites above for information about the Green election campaign.
Notes
1. The election broadcast features a nightmare vision of the future if the policies of the Libdems, Labour, Tories get their way - then presents the case for Green policies to turn things around to create a more just society and a sustainable future. Candidates from all over the UK and Green MEPs, Councillors and MSPs make the case for change.
2. Franz Ferdinand track 'This Fire' is used for the broadcast. To find out more about Franz Ferdinand go to: franzferdinand.co.uk or contact Steve Phillips: steve@coalitiongroup.co.uk
3. The Green Party Election Broadcast, was directed by Alex Cox and produced by Kim Ryan. Cox has directed various feature films including REPO MAN, SID & NANCY, REVENGERS TRAGEDY, and WALKER. He was the writer and presenter of the BBC2 film series Moviedrome. Ryan is the director of the film PEACE TRAIN and the producer of several documentaries shot in Cuba.
Filming for the P.E.B. took place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Swansea, Norwich, Brighton and London. The production was based in Liverpool, and involved an all-scouse crew and several Liverpool companies, including the special effects house Plast-c, sound specialists The Vocal Booth, and the online and post-production facility Fubar. Green screen photography was done at Toxteth TV. Five different P.E.B.s - one for the UK, England, and Scotland, and two for Wales - were prepared for broadcast. The principal cameraman and editor was Jah Jussah. The P.E.B.'s protagonist is played by Manchester-based actor, Carla Henry. Its two community police officers are played by actor Matt Capper, and director Chris Bernard (LETTER TO BREZHNEV). For more go to exterminatingangel.com / extang.co.uk
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.