On Friday 25th September, Liverpool's Picturehouse at FACT will host the press night screening of The Man with the Plan, a new feature film produced by Sands Films in Rotherhithe. The film revisits the radical vision of William Beveridge's 1942 report, which laid the groundwork for key social reforms such as the NHS, child allowance, and unemployment support.
Written and directed by Christine Edzard, the film creatively explores Beveridgeโs concept of the Five Giants; Want, Disease, Squalor, Idleness, and Ignorance: that society must overcome. Drawing on literary references from Charles Dickens to Lewis Carroll, the film combines unique sets and costumes with performances by renowned stage and screen actors.
The narrative opens with a poignant YouTube clip from Politics Joe featuring a school dinner lady in Manchester overwhelmed by having to turn away hungry children. The story follows a young student named Flea, who guides viewers through the enduring relevance of Beveridgeโs ideas and calls for collective action to build a fairer society.
The timing of the Liverpool screening is significant, taking place just two days before the Labour Party Conference in the city. Sands Films uses this moment to challenge the new Prime Minister, dubbed the 'Man with a Plan', to demonstrate the vision and leadership needed to tackle todayโs social challenges, much like Beveridge did during World War II.
Producer and editor Olivier Stockman will introduce the film and lead a Q&A session following the screening. Tickets and further details are available on the film website.
