Nearly six million Britons fought in the First World War, both as conscripts and volunteers. More than 16,000 men, though, refused to enlist, claiming status as conscientious objectors – and, in many cases, paying a heavy price for their decision.
Blast Theory will create an interactive film exploring the moral questions raised for those who fight and those who refuse to fight, broadcast live in Autumn 2018. The film will be streamed live from an outdoor location in a single shot. It will be Blast Theory’s second interactive feature film, following 2015’s My One Demand.
The work is commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the five-year programme of extraordinary arts experiences connecting people with the First World War. Previous commissions include Jeremy Deller’s 2017 event ‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’ and the poppies at Tower Bridge in 2014; ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ by Paul Cummins & Tom Piper which will be touring the UK in 2018.
2018 marks the fifth and final Season of the programme, coinciding with the centenary of the end of the First World War. This season includes a UK-wide project ‘Armistice’ by Danny Boyle to mark 100 years since Armistice day and a new film by Peter Jackson.
