Film on Jericho to be reprised

Forty-five years ago, two young Jericho residents successfully applied to the BBC tv community access programme ‘Open Door’ to make a film depicting this unique Oxford neighbourhood. Now one of the original film-makers is to reprise the venture. With the backing of the Jericho Community Association, and in partnership with Film Oxford, a new community-based film is to be made, to capture the essence of Jericho’s extraordinary solidarity and diversity for a different era.

Maggie Black, who with artist Lucy Willis made the original ‘Open Door’ film about Jericho in 1974, commented: ‘That film is now part of Jericho’s heritage, and every Jericho resident and devotee gets a kick out of seeing it – remembering characters and places that have changed or disappeared. So I thought it would be good to do a similar film bringing the story up to date, continuing the celebration of Jericho’s past and present.’

She was delighted to learn last week that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has made a significant award towards the film project. Other support has come from Lucy Properties, Oxford University Press, the Doris Field Trust, City Councillor Susanna Pressel, and other donors. Councillor Pressel was instrumental in building local enthusiasm and support. ‘This is a fantastic project and I’m proud to be associated with the film’, she said.

A meeting is planned for next Wednesday May 15th at 7.15 pm at the Jericho Community Centre, 33a Canal Street, to which all Jericho residents have been invited. Their suggestions are to be sought so that the film can genuinely respond to the community’s view of itself. ‘This is what we did in 1974’, said Maggie Black. ‘But back then, there was no Community Centre, we used a room above a pub – a sign of how things have changed.’

Film Oxford is a local charity providing training, community projects and film production services for non-profit organisations. ‘As a former Jericho resident, I was thrilled when Maggie approached us to do the re-make. We aim to keep to the strong community feel and documentary style of the original film,’ said Nicola Josse of Film Oxford.

A major recent transformation in Jericho has been the closing of Lucy’s foundry, and its replacement by canalside housing. Another development, Jericho Wharf, which will include a new community centre and DIY boatyard, has been hanging fire for several years. ‘Jericho is so close to central Oxford that it acts as a magnet for developers. But Jericho knows how to look after itself’, said Peter Stalker, Jericho Community Association treasurer. ‘Its community instinct is very strong. It has had to be.’

The film, to be called, ‘Our Jericho’ is not intended to argue any particular case for conservation or planning policy. Like its predecessor, it will convey a slice of Jericho’s life as lived by a cross-section of Jericho people at a serendipitous moment in time. With its magnificent church, its boaters along the canal, its school, businesses, pubs, artists, singers, and the wide-ranging programme of social activities Jericho enjoys, a rich feast awaits.

Filming will take place over the summer, with the launch scheduled for Autumn 2019.

To see the orginal programme, please CLICK HERE