Documentary ‘Everybody to Kenmure Street’ Highlights Civil Resistance

A new documentary titled Everybody to Kenmure Street chronicles a pivotal moment of civil resistance that unfolded in Scotland. Directed by Felipe Bustos Sierra and executive produced by Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before its recent screening at the Glasgow Film Festival. It is set to debut in cinemas across the U.K. and Ireland on March 13, 2024.

The film recounts events from May 2021, when a dawn raid by the U.K. Home Office in the diverse Glasgow neighborhood of Pollokshields sparked an extraordinary community response. Residents gathered in droves to halt the deportation of two Sikh men, demonstrating a powerful act of solidarity. As word spread during the morning, coinciding with Eid celebrations, a small group of protesters rapidly grew into hundreds, effectively blocking the immigration enforcement van. This eight-hour standoff garnered international attention and showcased the community’s commitment to peaceful protest.

The documentary employs a mix of crowd-sourced footage, archival materials, and creatively designed scenes. Cinematographer Kirstin McMahon captures actors reenacting testimonies from contributors who chose to remain anonymous. Bustos Sierra, a Chilean-Belgian filmmaker based in Scotland, previously achieved acclaim with his debut documentary, Nae Pasaran, which explores the legacy of Scottish solidarity during General Augusto Pinochet’s regime.

Bustos Sierra collaborated with Ciara Barry of the Glasgow-based production company barry crerar and received executive producer support from Mark Thomas of Screen Scotland. The film also features an original score by Barry Burns of the band Mogwai.

Thompson describes Everybody to Kenmure Street as an “urgent film” that highlights the community’s inherent decency while contrasting it with institutional structures that often perpetuate injustice. In an interview, Bustos Sierra shared his motivation for creating the film, noting his personal connection to the events. Living just ten minutes away, he felt compelled to document the spontaneous act of civil resistance that unfolded near his home.

He became aware of the urgency through social media as footage of the protest went viral. “I received a message with a picture of a van and a few people around it. Looking back, it was difficult to see a positive outcome from that image,” he reflected. The filmmaker spent months interviewing community members in local parks, discussing the motivations behind their actions. These interactions helped frame the documentary’s narrative, emphasizing the broader questions of solidarity and the human desire for justice.

Acquiring footage for the documentary was an organic process. Many participants filmed the events for social media, unaware that their recordings would contribute to a historical account. Bustos Sierra and his editor Colin Monie sifted through countless clips, reaching out to individuals who captured the moments of protest. They launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to gather additional funding and resources.

The film features contributions from Thompson, who not only executive produced but also portrays a key figure known as “Van Man”—the individual who lay under the enforcement van to prevent it from leaving. Bustos Sierra described the character as somewhat mystical in Glasgow, embodying the spirit of defiance that permeated the protest. “He said, ‘I was at the right place at the right moment,’ highlighting how anyone could have taken similar action,” Bustos Sierra noted.

Thompson’s involvement added an unexpected layer to the film, reflecting the humor and resilience of the community. “Having Emma brings a sense of intimacy and humor, mirroring Glasgow’s rich history of civil disobedience,” he explained. The collaboration with local actors Kate Dickie and Keira Lucchesi further anchored the film in its Glasgow roots.

As the filmmakers prepared for the film’s release, they remained aware of the ongoing immigration debate in the U.K. and the potential for the documentary to resonate with contemporary audiences. Bustos Sierra expressed concern that the relevant issues might lose urgency over time, but he acknowledged that the themes of immigration and community resistance remain pressing.

Feedback from those who attended the protest has been overwhelmingly positive, with some viewers expressing gratitude for the film’s ability to capture moments they missed during the event. One attendee remarked, “I was at the protest, and I realized there’s so much of the day that I missed, even though I was at one end of the street.”

Looking forward, Bustos Sierra is already contemplating his next project, which will explore another act of protest in Scotland through a fictional lens. As Everybody to Kenmure Street prepares for its broader release, it stands as both a powerful tribute to community solidarity and a reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice.