Watch Concrete Soldiers Uk

Concrete Soldiers UK is a 2017 documentary film directed by Nikita Woolfe that sheds light on the ongoing social housing crisis in the UK. The film analyzes the impact of gentrification and neoliberal policies on council estates and their residents. The movie starts by showing the renovation of a council estate in South London, which was originally built in the 1960s to provide affordable housing for working-class families. However, the estate was privatized in the 1990s, and the new owners decided to demolish the existing buildings and replace them with luxury apartments.

The film interviews several council estate residents, including elderly people and families with children, who express their concerns about losing their homes and being displaced from their communities. The film also features social activists and academics who explain how government policies have contributed to the social housing crisis.

One of the key themes of the film is the role of private developers in the housing market. The film argues that developers are more interested in making a profit than providing affordable, decent homes for ordinary people. The film highlights how developers can bypass local authorities' planning controls by exploiting legal loopholes and engaging in lobbying and political donations. As a result, council estates and other social housing projects have been systematically dismantled and replaced with luxury apartments that only the wealthy can afford.

The film also exposes the impact of gentrification on communities. The process of gentrification involves the influx of middle-class residents into working-class areas, which can lead to the displacement of existing communities. The film argues that this process is driven by neoliberal policies that prioritize the interests of big business over the needs of ordinary people. The film highlights how gentrification can lead to the loss of community, social support networks, and cultural heritage.

The documentary also examines the role of local councils in the social housing crisis. The film argues that councillors often prioritize the interests of developers over the needs of their constituents, and engage in corrupt practices such as insider deals and brown envelopes. The film highlights how councils have failed to protect council estates, and in some cases, actively contributed to their demolition and replacement with luxury apartments.

In conclusion, Concrete Soldiers UK is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that exposes the social housing crisis in the UK. The film provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and consequences of the crisis, and highlights the voices of those affected by it. The documentary challenges the audience to question the neoliberal policies that have contributed to the crisis and to demand a fair and just housing system for all.