GRENFELL

TX DATE:
MONDAY 11 JUNE 2018

TX TIME:
20:30

NETWORK:
BBC One

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This 90-minute documentary from BAFTA-winning director Ben Anthony brings together multiple stories from the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy - the most devastating tower block fire in British history.

Made over the course of one year, with filming starting on the day after the fire, this landmark film will be broadcast on BBC One in the lead up to the first anniversary of the fire, in June 2018.

This meticulously crafted film draws from hundreds of hours of interview, archive, social media content and observational footage to form a compelling, moving and lasting record of the events before, during and after the fire.    Grenfell features intimate accounts from many of the men, women and children whose lives were forever intertwined and irrevocably changed that night - some of whom have never spoken publicly before.

The film remembers those who tragically died, while hearing from survivors, the bereaved, members of the local community, faith leaders, the Metropolitan Police, and the local councillors from Kensington and Chelsea.    Grenfell amounts to the largest collection of interviews with people connected to the tragedy to be gathered together in one single film.

It tells the story from within the community with unique access to Grenfell United - the campaign group set up by the survivors in the wake of the fire, and Grenfell Speaks - the online streaming news channel created by one local resident with his iPhone, which now has more than five million viewers worldwide.

Of the many residents featured, Lorraine Beadle was one of the very first to move into Grenfell Tower, back in 1975.    Over the decades her beloved flat on the fourth floor became home to her most cherished memories, but now she must make the difficult decision to go back into the charred remains of the tower and say goodbye.

The film also follows 32 year-old Karim as he searches for news of his uncle Hesham, who lived on the 23rd floor of Grenfell Tower.    Karim is putting up missing posters around the local streets in the hope that someone will come forward with information.    When Hesham’s body is finally identified months after the fire, Karim is able to lay him to rest.

The film also reflects the role of social media in distributing information about the fire and its aftermath.    Hundreds of people recorded powerful footage both during and after the tragic events of Wednesday 14 June 2017.    Much of this material was shared on social media, giving an immediate and far-reaching public voice to those affected.