‘In the Veins’ – a new short film that resonates through time.

“Some people have blood running through their veins, I think we’ve got coal dust!”
~ Miner’s daughter

Monday 3rd March 2025 marks the 40th years since the end of the 1984/5 Miners’ Strike. Four decades on from one of the longest industrial disputes of the 20th century, it’s an important time to reflect on the rich history of mining in the UK, how it has affected the people, places, and identity of those that were involved.
The Yorkshire and North East Film Archive and Teesside University have come together to produce ‘In the Veins’, a short film that resonates through time, using over a century of archive footage to shine a light onto the face of the mining heritage of Yorkshire and the North East of England.

For centuries, men toiled in the bowels of the earth to build a nation, creating prosperity and improved standards of living, before experiencing the gut-wrenching end to livelihoods, a cost to people and their communities that is still having an impact across the generations.
A story of hardship and hope, division and defiance, perseverance and pride; the film is not a history lesson, it’s an emotional journey that digs deep into the heart of a community built on coal.

With support from Teesside University’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Account, and Film Hub North, the powerful 24-minute film has already been screened across the North of England and is set for an online release and special screenings in early March to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the end of the Miners’ Strike.

Graham Relton, Co-Director at the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive and producer of the film said:
“From villages, towns and communities that grew from the industry, the bonds and friendships fostered, to the formation of activist groups such as ‘Women Against Pit Closures,’ ‘In the Veins’ celebrates the success, commiserates the demise and is a timely reminder about the need for a ‘just transition’ from fossil fuels to cleaner energy.
Over the last six months we’ve screened the film with wide variety of partners, including in ex-mining communities and with wrap around activities, including in Darlington, Hartlepool, Washington, Stockton, Leeds and Stanley. We had over 650 people watch ‘In the Veins’ at the Grand Cinema at the Beamish Museum and the York Golden Rail Band, accompanied the film by performing iconic music from the beloved film Brassed Off.”

‘In the Veins’ will be available to view on the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive YouTube channel on Monday 3rd of March: https://www.youtube.com/@YorkshireFilmArchive
Or see the short film on the big screen paired with the 1985 Yorkshire Television documentary ‘The Longest Year’, a retrospective on the yearlong strike first aired on the 3rd of March 1985, as the Miners’ Strike came to an end.

Ben Lamb, Senior Lecturer in Media and Television Historian at Teesside University and Exec Producer of the film said:
“We are indebted to the Community Curator group who were instrumental in shaping the film. They lived, worked and breathed mining communities, at the coalface and in the community, their input has added a real authenticity that has helped the film to really connect with audiences, demonstrating real impact with viewers in venues across Yorkshire and the North East.
We’ve seen the whole gamut of emotional responses, and we hope online audiences will be equally empowered and even enraged by the stories portrayed within the ‘In the Veins’ short film carefully crafted by film maker Andy Burns.”

Commissioned by Teesside University with support from the AHRC Impact Acceleration Account fund and produced by the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive, this short film is a catalyst for conversation, an opportunity to learn from the past to help shape the future.
‘In the Veins’ screenings are supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of BFI Film Audience Network.

Join these special anniversary screenings.

Book now:
Sunday 2nd March – National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield, 2pm:  https://www.ncm.org.uk/whats-on/in-the-veins/
Monday 3rd March – Showroom Cinema, Sheffield, 6:30pm:   https://www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/intheveins

and further screenings across the North of England

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-cinema-showcase-in-the-veins-film-with-cine-north-tickets-1223698859229?msockid=3806f22f4330699d0429e085424a68e6

Can’t make a screening?

‘In the Veins’ will be available to view on the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive YouTube channel on Monday 3rd of March: https://www.youtube.com/@YorkshireFilmArchive