- Make Me a Tory
-
Make Me a Tory Genre Documentary Distributed by Channel 4 (UK primary broadcast rights)
Maverick Television (All other rights)Creator Daniel Cormack Directed by Daniel Cormack Produced by Wendie Ottewill
(Series producer)
Jim Sayer
(Executive producer)
Hilary Durman
(Executive producer)Written by Daniel Cormack Narrated by Daniel Cormack Starring Daniel Cormack
David Cameron
Claire Hilley
Mark ClarkeMusic by Paul Mottram Cinematography Sam Key
Patrick Smith
Ben FosterEditing by Francis Buchanan Production company Maverick Television
Resource BaseCountry United Kingdom Language English Original channel Channel 4 Release date May 13, 2007 (United Kingdom Broadcast)
February 15, 2008 (United Kingdom Theatrical)Original run May 13, 2007 – May 19, 2007 Running time 24 minutes No. of episodes 8/12 Preceded by Monkey Lovers Followed by Stabbed
Maverick Television
Redbird Media
Make Me a Tory at the British Film Institute
Make Me a Tory at the Internet Movie DatabaseMake Me a Tory is a 2007 British authored documentary film directed by Daniel Cormack for Channel 4.
Contents
Synopsis
The film opens with Daniel Cormack returning to the area of South London in which he grew up and reflecting on how the influence of that predominantly left-wing environment formed his political views. In spite of being born in 1979 as one of "Thatcher's children", the "thought of nailing his colours to the Tory mast" seems "nothing short of horrific".[1][2][3] Nonetheless, since casting his first vote at the age of 18 in the Labour landslide of 1997 he has become increasingly disillusioned with the Labour government and wonders if he can "do the unthinkable and turn Tory".
Setting off on a journey around the country to meet Conservatives, he starts by revisiting his alma mater, Oxford University where he "first met people who were actually Conservatives"[4]. He is invited to a Port and Policy debate ("the Oxford equivalent of setting the world to rights over a few beers"[5]) held by the Oxford University Conservative Association, but despite a lively and at times provocative debate about David Cameron's leadership - as well as large amounts of Port - he finds himself just as unconvinced by the Oxford Conservatives as in his student days.
Traveling onwards, Daniel goes litter picking with the "gung-ho teenage Tories of the Wirral" and is impressed by their altruism, lack of cynicism and sense of civic responsibility even if the group's leader has nicknamed her car Maggie. Back in South London, Daniel is invited to a dinner party hosted by the chair of the local Conservative Future branch, Claire Hilley. Over dinner, a heated argument breaks out over the legacy of Thatcher between the ardent believers in her policies and those more in tune with David Cameron's compassionate Conservatism, leaving Daniel to ponder whether this schism in the party will manifest itself in a Conservative government.
The next day Daniel goes leafleting with the national Chair of Conservative Future - and subsequent 'Tatler Tory'[6] election candidate for Tooting, South London - Mark Clarke. Coming from a similarly deprived background, Daniel hopes Mark's rationale for being a Conservative will help him make up his mind; a hope which is somewhat dashed when Mark makes an off-the-cuff disparaging remark about the "local people" on the council estate they are canvassing. Realising how much his background has formed his political views - and remembering the hostility shown to a Tory election candidate who came to speak at his school in 1997 - Daniel suggests Mark does a talk about Conservatism as the comprehensive he attended, Thomas Tallis School. Mark faces some robust questioning from the students, but to Daniel's surprise some of them say they would consider voting Conservative in the general election.
Confused, not only by the different varieties of conservative beliefs, but also by his own mixed feelings over going against the grain of his upbringing, Daniel decides the best way to decide once and for all is to speak to David Cameron. Explaining that Thatcher was a 'hate figure' where he grew up, Daniel asks Cameron how the Conservatives have gone from denying the concept of society to embracing it and whether this is a genuine change or a cosmetic one. Cameron replies by saying that "the 1980s was all about solving the problem of Britain's broken economy now it is actually a message much more about...the broken society[7]. Leaving Portcullis House, Daniel concludes that while it would be a "big leap of faith" to ask the Conservatives to pick up the broken pieces of society, the Conservatives he's met have at least removed some of his negative preconceptions about the Tories.
Reception
Although originally scheduled in an off-peak slot[8] in a series of works by new directors[9][10] on Channel 4, the programme went on to achieve wider awareness when, in 2008, the British Film Institute screened the film theatrically as part of a "Director's Showcase" in their February 2008 programme[11][12]. Later that year, growing recognition of the film led its director and author to win a "Hot Shot" award by the trade paper Broadcast in their annual round-up of the best up and coming talent under 30.[13][14]
In 2010, Make Me a Tory was selected for preservation by the British Film Institute's National Archive[15] as well as being programmed as a permanent exhibit in the BFI's Médiathèques in London, Cambridge, Derby, Wrexham and Newcastle as part of the Ballot Box collection of notable films on politics[16]. It was also selected for the National Media Museum's permanent TV Heaven exhibition[17] and clips of the programme were used in Channel 4's Alternative Election Night 2010 coverage[18].
Critical reviews and reactions
Time Out London reviewed the BFI's theatrical screening:
"Director Daniel Cormack is a likeable presence as he goes front of camera in this political documentary. A disillusioned Labour supporter, Cormack goes in search of the Tory youth of today to see if his vote can be swayed. From the big teeth ya-ya brigade of Oxford Uni conservative club to interviewing the big, blue man himself - David Cameron - Cormack ends up unfortunately still floating, but it is a worthwhile and interesting piece about the future Conservatism."[19]
Awards
Broadcast "Hot Shot" Award 2008 (Directing category)
References
- ^ http://redbirdmedia.co.uk/tv/40-documentary/50-new-shoots
- ^ http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/catalogue/browse/?id=57501D201db6b203D4lPRQ4F884D
- ^ http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2007/05/make-me-tory-sunday-825-855am-channel4.html
- ^ Make Me a Tory. Daniel Cormack (2007), Episode 6. Channel 4. 13th May 2007 08:35 hrs. ISAN: 0000-0001-CE47-0000-J-0000-0000-H
- ^ http://www.channel4.com/player/v2/asx/showpresentation_omni.jsp?showId=6416
- ^ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23552750-a-future-tory-cabinet-at-least-according-to-tatler.do
- ^ http://www.channel4.com/player/v2/asx/showpresentation_omni.jsp?showId=6416
- ^ http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2007/05/make-me-tory-sunday-825-855am-channel4.html
- ^ http://www.mavericktv.co.uk/broadcast_view.php?id=182
- ^ http://redbirdmedia.co.uk/tv/40-documentary/50-new-shoots
- ^ http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/node/1999
- ^ http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/event_view.php?uid=20782
- ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/daniel-cormack-28-director/1804611.article
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AbwzyGJXQ8
- ^ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/830123
- ^ http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/mediatheque/all_mediatheque_films
- ^ http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/PlanAVisit/ExploreOurGalleries/~/media/Files/NMeM/PDF/Collections/Television/TVHeavenAZ.ashx
- ^ http://www.channel4.com/programmes/channel-4s-alternative-election-night
- ^ Abigail Lelliot (13th February 2008). Daniel Cormack: Director's Showcase, Time Out (London), Issue 1956, p. 101, ISSN: 1479-7054. Time Out Group Ltd
External links
- Make Me a Tory at the British Film Institute
- Make Me a Tory at the Internet Movie Database
- Channel 4 - broadcaster official website
- Maverick Television - production company official website
- Redbird Media - production company official website
David Cameron Premiership Cameron Ministry • Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement • Coalition government • Big Society • First Speech as Prime Minister • Muscular liberalism • Project Merlin
Politics General elections Party elections Family Samantha Cameron • Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet (grandfather) • Ewen Cameron (great great grandfather)In the media Notting Hill Set (2004) • Dave the Chameleon (2006) • Make Me a Tory (2007) • When Boris Met Dave (2009) • F·R·I·E·N·D·S (2010) • The New Coalition Academy (2010) • Cameron and Clegg Face the Audience (2010)
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Category:David CameronCategories:- 2007 television films
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