At a time when the U.K. is facing an unprecedented crisis, the role of the BBC as a public service broadcaster which helps keep the country informed, educated and entertained, has never been more important.
This film from BBC Creative demonstrates that even though we are physically further apart than ever before, the BBC is helping us create shared experiences and emotions that will bring us closer as a society when we need it most.
Whether it’s through BBC News providing accurate and impartial information to the public, the raft of BBC educational programming that has been announced, BBC Local Radio doing all it can to help its audience or primetime shows like Have I Got News For You keeping us entertained, the BBC is on-hand to provide something for everyone.
Titled "Bringing Us Closer," this film is a montage of real life footage of the events of the past few weeks, moving from empty supermarket shelves, and deserted streets to heart-warming interviews, viral moments like the “Clap for our NHS carers” (NHS stands for U.K.’s National Health Service) as well as personal videos from NHS staff and the construction of the NHS Nightingale hospitals.
Accompanying the pictures is the poem "Don’t Quit" by Edgar Guest, which in this 90-second edit is read by the star of BBC drama Luther, Idris Elba, who tested positive for coronavirus and has since recovered.
The film concludes by reminding us all that despite the hardships we face right now, “we must not quit” and delivers a message that “together, we’ll get through.”
Production company was Somesuch, with Dan Emmerson credited as director. The film is running across assorted BBC platforms including TV, Radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
There are also two 60-second edits which will be released in the coming days with the poem being read by Vicky McClure (star of BBC series Line of Duty and Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure) and Stephen Graham (star of dramas including This is England, Accused, Line of Duty, Taboo).
Helen Rhodes, executive creative director, BBC Creative, said, “This is a time when everyone is pulling together to get through this crisis. We really hope we’ve managed to capture the emotion of that and show the ways in which the BBC is trying to help by using all our resources to keep us connected and bring us closer.”
