Factual
The 大象传媒 has today unveiled a three-part plan designed to significantly improve representation of - and opportunities for - disabled people on and off air.
Published: 3 December 2019
Alex Brooker - Disability and Me
This intimate and extremely personal documentary will see comedian and TV presenter Alex Brooker (pictured above) confront the true nature of his disability for the first time, and attempt to unpack his disabled identity.
In order to do this, Alex will revisit key moments from his past that helped to form his relationship with his disability. Uncovering both joyful and difficult memories, Alex will try to pinpoint how he got to his current position of being comfortable with some aspects of his disability, whilst being in almost denial of other elements.
Turning his mind to the present, Alex will explore what it means to be disabled in the UK today. Admitting that he knows he’s out of touch with what disability means for many people, Alex will immerse himself in the lives of disabled Brits around the country to see the reality of day-to-day life, disability support and prejudice.
Alex will also look forward to the future, addressing his fears around his own health and mobility, and exploring what options for support might be available to him.
By the end of the documentary, Alex hopes to have an entirely new perspective on being a disabled person and what role it will play in the rest of his life, whilst the film will give an incredibly honest and refreshing insight into living with disability in the UK today.
- Alex Brooker - Disability and Me (1x60) was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller, 大象传媒 Two and the 大象传媒 Commissioning Editor is Abigail Priddle. It is being made by Wonder TV where the executive producer is Sarah Trigg and the director is Pamela Gordon.
Frank Gardner - Being Frank (w/t)
In June 2004 大象传媒 security correspondent Frank Gardner was shot six times by Al-Qaeda gunmen whilst reporting on growing terrorist activity in Saudi Arabia. One of the bullets hit his spinal nerves and at the age of 42 he was left partially paralysed in the legs and unable to walk. He has used a wheelchair ever since.
Fifteen years later, Frank says he has never got used to his paralysis. In this deeply personal new film, he talks candidly about the challenges of suddenly becoming disabled and confronts the effects it has on his day-to-day life, personal relationships and the way he views himself. He wants to understand the way that others have responded when they have suddenly become disabled without warning or expectation of it, in a series of extraordinary encounters that will change the way Frank - and we - feel about disability.
The contributors Frank meets, from medical professionals to those newly facing life-changing disabilities, will help Frank tell his own life story. Keen to show us the truth about ‘being Frank', the film won’t shy away from the harsh reality of disability, but will also celebrate this unique figure, his warmth and humour, and the extraordinary life he leads today as Security Correspondent for the 大象传媒.
- Frank Gardner - Being Frank (w/t) (60mins) was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller 大象传媒 Two and David Brindley, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment and is being made by Curious Films’ Charlie Russell and Dov Freedman.
Storyville - Locked In
Locked in is a feature-length film about a life-threatening illness that is shot and directed by someone who is living with that condition himself. What is it like for loved ones, friends and family members to go through this?
Acute Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological condition in which the body’s immune system turns on itself, and in extreme circumstances can leave people ‘locked in’ - completely unable to move but with their brain continuing to function normally. Eventually, after weeks or months, the GBS usually stops and the paralysis begins to recede. Some people recover fully, some hardly at all, some die.
Director Xavier Alford has been diagnosed with a chronic form of the disease, known as MMN (Multifocal Motor Neuropathy) - one that progresses slowly over years rather than weeks, and for which there is little chance of ever getting back to full health.
In this highly personal film, Xavier will meet other people at different stages of their recovery as his own condition worsens and he learns how to cope with a body that is failing him. He also seeks out those studying the disease both in the UK and abroad, discovering groundbreaking research into different treatment options.
Xavier says: "As the neuropathy takes hold of my limbs, and before it’s too late, I want to make a film about the illness I have. I am determined to shoot as much of it as I can and then find new ways of working when/if I can’t. I want to learn everything I can about the disease by giving a voice to people coming out of their rabbit hole as I head down mine. I need to make this film because I still can."
- Locked In is a Storyville film being made by Rolling Marble for 大象传媒 Four. It is being filmed and directed by Xavier Alford and the Executive Producer is Sacha Mirzoeff.