NEW TOWN UTOPIA is a feature documentary film about utopian dreams and concrete realities. The challenging, funny, and sometimes tragic story of the British new town of Basildon, Essex.
After WW2, New Towns were designed as social utopias to create (in the words of the post-war government) “a new type of citizen, a healthy, self-respecting, dignified person with a sense of beauty, culture and civic pride.” Basildon and its pioneer residents were invested with these post-war hopes and aspirations. Now, 60 years on, the town has deteriorated, degenerated and desaturated. Art and culture are almost a distant memory and Basildon is often referred to as one of the worst towns in Britain.
The story of Basildon is expressed through the memories of a group of charismatic but often self-destructive artists and musicians who keep ‘creating’ against the odds. Facing austerity, adversity and personal challenges these are individuals driven by their creative spirit to help their community through art, poetry, music… and some rather angry puppets. The film interweaves their music, poetry and art into a narrative that explores the roots of the housing crisis, the impact of demonising the working class and the sucker punch inflicted by globalisation on our towns and high streets.
