'a fascinating kaleidoscope' ★★★★★

‘revels in alternative viewpoints and in minutiae’ ★★★★★

INTERVIEWS

ARTICLES

FILM PROGRAMMER REVIEWS

"Commissioned as part of 14-18 Now and a series of works connecting people with the First World War, this ambitious new work by Artist/Filmmaker Esther Johnson explores the legacy of the Somme through the prism of a single city – Sunderland. Originally premiered at the Sunderland Empire Theatre on July 10th, 2016 with a live score performed by Royal Northern Sinfonia, The Cornshed Sisters, Warm Digits and Mercury-nominated Field Music, Asunder uses archive and contemporary footage to collage the stories of people from Tyneside and Wearside to uncover just what life was like on the Western Front and Home Front – from the men who fought in the fields, to those who stayed behind to work in the region's shipyards and munitions factories.

Produced by Johnson and writer and musician Bob Stanley, the film, eloquently narrated by Kate Adie with actor Alun Armstrong as the voice of The Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, offers a timely look at the barbarity of war and the real cost in human lives of conflict. One of the most remarkable images in the film is the destruction of a naval ship, an image passed by censors at the time. The speed of its destruction is chilling. All lives were lost. Equally disturbing is the treatment metered out to conscientious objectors, shot at dawn without ceremony. As a counter-balance, Johnson interweaves footage of young soldiers horsing around as they carry out their non-battle duties, illuminating the fact that joy and tragedy exist cheek by jowl, even, or especially in the most adverse situations.

Restoring a sense of civic pride to a region that has in recent years suffered terrible economic hardship, Asunder is an inherently political work that shines its light across issues of gender as well as those of class. The film teases out a number of stories of incredible relevance today, including the role of women and the discrimination they faced once the war ended. Popular during the conflict, women’s football was subsequently banned from FA affiliated grounds, in part explaining why women have struggled for so long to gain any purchase in an inherently patriarchal society. It’s one of many telling points in an intelligent, enthralling and prescient work that assiduously connects past and present." 

— Jason Wood Artistic Director Film, HOME, Manchester

"Esther Johnson’s Asunder is a unique and very special film. Instead of concentrating on military operations, the artist has researched and selected footage from the First World War to show how the lives of ordinary people of the North East were irrevocably affected by the conflict. Among many of the delightful surprises in the film is the way that women performed in traditionally male domains, even playing football to huge crowds. The footage is expertly threaded together and is complemented by Bob Stanley’s evocative and poetic words that are beautifully voiced by Kate Adie. The world of the past is brought into the present though an original score by Field Music and Warm Digits consummately performed with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, and culminates with a kind of joyous pathos in a traditional folk song performed by The Cornshed Sisters. Asunder is a warm film about hard times that pays tribute to the people of Tyne and Wear who were so vital to the war effort, and also to a community spirit that overcame great adversity. It is a tribute to the human spirit."

— Helen de Witt BFI London Film Festival

SCREENING/PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

Music OMH ★★★★★ · 12 Feb 2017
...Like Johnson and Stanley’s narrative, the music seems to revel in alternative viewpoints and in minutiae...

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

Charismatic director (Q&A) and direction. Not afraid to go off piste to gain new insight into welltrodden territory (ironic phrase given the context!) Music, text, archival material brilliantly chosen and worked into a telling collage. A runaway success! — KinoKulture, Oswetry, audience member

This film is superb. Excellently narrated and woven and in my mind with the soft touch on suffrage and dissent, class, objection, and politics… — Mike Stubbs, Former Director of FACT, Liverpool

In the plethora of events marking the centenary of the First World War and especially the Somme, ‘Asunder’ really stood out for me: its highly imaginative concept, brilliant storytelling, geographical and cultural specificity, above all its power to move and connect with the reality of events 100 years ago. A fantastic piece of work. A terrific piece of work, with satisfying constituent elements beautifully stitched together. It was a privilege to see it in that marvellous theatre - and with live music. Please send our appreciation to all involved… — Michael Chaplin, writer

I have just got home having seen Asunder. I thought it was amazing and loved every minute. Everyone involved should be really proud…The orchestra and music were perfect. The stories were so lovely and left you wanting to find out more - faultless. Thank you — Louise Clamp, Ashmore Consultants and Sunderland Vibrancy Group

I found the mixture of film and music in depicting the story of the North East during the First World War to be both emotional and thought provoking. I would be grateful if you would accept my thanks for your efforts and please pass on my appreciation to everyone involved. — Tom Capeling, Chief Fire Officer, Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service

Wow. What a show. Well done everyone involved. — Anthony McDermott, Account Manager, Sun FM

Thank you so much. Such a good evening with beautiful music. The stories of the conscientious objectors will continue to affect me in a profound way. Many thanks! — Angela Wilson, Director Washington MIND

I am writing to thank you for a fantastic afternoon yesterday, the film and music were just amazing. The film was meticulously researched and put together to evoke so many emotions, what a tribute to Sunderland and the NE WW1 valiant efforts. I think the resounding set of applause at the end of the show said it all! — Vicky Willis, Sir James Knott Trust

It was brilliant. A real testament to Sunderland Culture and talent. The whole event was really engaging and very fitting contribution to the commemoration of the 14 -18 war. It was great to see Washington represented with Cyril’s War along with the rest of the programme. Thanks again. — Sarah Murray, National Trust Washington Old Hall and Penshaw Monument

Asunder was absolutely amazing. Thank you everyone for all your hard work. — Monica Shepherd, Head Teacher St Anthony’s Girls’ School

Can I just say a huge thank you and well done for Asunder - The reviews have been amazing! Being involved in the participation programme has been wonderful. Our Young People made us proud at the Minster, and the church was packed out for the final performance! What a perfect and poignant location for some beautiful performances from local young people! — Hollie Coxon, Creative Learning Manager, Sunderland Empire

Just wanted to congratulate you all on the premier of 'Asunder' which was phenomenal. What an achievement! To have the Northern Sinfonia accompanying the film archive was an added bonus. So moving! Good luck with the future negotiations for Sunderland's bid for City of Culture. — Brenda Graham, Sunderland Heritage Forum

The show was incredibly moving and powerful, I was very emotional at points. It was amazing hearing Field Music and Warm Digits music performed by an orchestra and it worked really well with the film and narrative. It should definitely go on tour to reach a wider audience. — Lynne Patience, Tyne & Wear resident

Notwithstanding the UEFA Cup Final, four of us attended…The evening started with at about twelve noon. there were quite a number of happenings around the immediate area of the Empire with re-enactments, singing war songs, displays and interactive handling of genuine equipment from the Somme and the first World War. The performance itself was all that I had hoped it would be. A dramatic mixture of music, song and film montages of the happenings in Sunderland during the war all with a vocal element provided by Alun Armstrong and Kate Adie, reading extracts from the Sunderland Echo. Before the performance began I was telling our guests about attending the Launches at the ship yards and how because my Father was not 'Management' we had to be at ground level and how Tons of chains were welded to the keel of the ship to slow it down so that it didn't crash into the opposite bank and the noise that it made and, the thundering like an earthquake... I was surprised and delighted when they showed that self same image, it took me back to when I was ten years old. We ended the evening with a walk around a reasonable quiet Sunderland with my Godson telling me that he had enjoyed it, complete with an element of surprise in his voice. Once again from my friends and I. Thank you. A good night was had by all. — David Burton, Tyne & Wear resident

Feedback was extremely positive from everyone who attended the screening. We had 160 pupils from three schools attend – two primary (P6 & P7 - equivalent to Year 6 and Year 7) and one secondary (S3 - Year 10.) All three teachers asked if the film would be available on DVD at a future date. The secondary school teacher commented that it was fantastic preparation for the pupils’ forthcoming exams. The primary pupils were about to start WW1 as their topic and one teacher said this was great preparation for them. — Flip Kulakiewicz, Education & Learning Coordinator, Edinburgh Centre for the Moving Image incorporating, Edinburgh Filmhouse, Belmont Filmhouse, Edinburgh International Film Festival