McLibel
the story of two ordinary people who humiliated McDonald's in the biggest corporate PR disaster in history
Cinema Politica London
Saturday March 29, 2008
Screening begins 13h30
Venue: Landon Library - Wortley Village
UK / 2005 / 85 min
McLibel is the story of two ordinary people who humiliated McDonald's in the biggest corporate PR disaster in history.
McDonald's loved using the UK libel laws to suppress criticism. Major media organisations like the BBC and The Guardian crumbled and apologised. But then they sued gardener Helen Steel and postman Dave Morris.
In the longest trial in English legal history, the "McLibel Two" represented themselves against McDonald's £10 million legal team. Every aspect of the corporation's business was cross-examined: from junk food and McJobs, to animal cruelty, environmental damage and advertising to children.
Outside the courtroom, Dave brought up his young son alone and Helen supported herself working nights in a bar. McDonald's tried every trick in the book against them. Legal manoeuvres. A visit from Ronald McDonald. Top executives flying to London for secret settlement negotiations. Even spies.
Seven years later, in February 2005, the marathon legal battle finally concluded at the European Court of Human Rights. And the result took everyone by surprise - especially the British Government.
McLibel is not just about hamburgers. It is about the importance of freedom of speech now that multinational corporations are more powerful than countries.
Filmed over ten years by no-budget Director Franny Armstrong, McLibel is the David and Goliath story of two people who refused to say sorry. And in doing so, changed the world.
You can find everything you ever need to know about the McLibel story on the world-famous McSpotlight website. "The blueprint for all activist websites", as Wired magazine memorably put it.
Followed by 'Meat Your Meat'.
Directed by Franny Armstrong & Ken Loach.
