Thanks for your comments about Young, Angry and White - it's always good to know what viewers have thought of a programme once it's gone out, so thanks for taking the time to share your opinions.
I was happy to read that many viewers, rather than react angrily to Kieren's extreme opinions, took the time to understand how and why he has found himself feeling the way he does about politics, immigration and multiculturalism. In making this film we had hoped to provide our audience with some insight into why young people like Kieren are being drawn towards the BNP (a recent poll for Metro/Harris found as many as 1 in 20 young people were thinking of voting for the party), and I feel this objective was achieved. Speaking as someone that comes from a British Asian background, I was personally fascinated to know what had drawn this one young man to such thinking.
There was limited criticism that the director, Peter Beard, didn't go far enough when challenging Kieren on his views. I am satisfied however that the film was balanced - Kieren's family and friends were seen not to share his views, and he is questioned by both his friends and the director throughout. Some viewers suggested that Young, Angry and White offered only a 'superficial analysis' of why Kieren feels the way he does - to that I would say that, given this was a 30-min documentary study of one individual, there were necessary limits to the amount of ground we could cover. Of course not all people who experience problems in their youth find themselves turning to nationalism, but this programme was about Kieren's experience, and as such it could never address the motivations for all people attracted to the far right.
Finally, for those viewers who expressed concern that Kieren might be vulnerable to abuse as a result of making the documentary, I'd like to reassure you that Channel 4 takes its duty of care to contributors very seriously. During filming we were in regular contact with Kieren and his family to ensure their welfare and since the programme went out, Kieren has emailed Peter to say that he is fine. Keiren told Peter that he hadn't experienced any problems from anti-fascist protesters, and since all of his friends, colleagues and fellow students were already aware of his views, he hasn't had any further negative reaction from them. Kieren also said that he'd received a great deal of support from his 'fellow nationalists'.
For more about the making of the film, you can also read an interview with Peter Beard
Thanks,
Aysha
