Short Film: Street Life
Celebrating the History of Hat Fair with Street Life
Hat Fair is the subject of a new short documentary film titled Street Life. Directed by Laurent Metrich, this film offers an insightful look into the festival's rich history, capturing its spirit through a blend of archive photos and footage, plus interviews with key figures.
Tracing the Roots of Hat Fair
Street Life traces the origins of Hat Fair back to its roots with the Attic Theatre, exploring the motivations behind its creation during a turbulent social climate. It sheds light on the early days of this small, rebellious gathering and its evolution into a large-scale, funded festival.
Hat Fair Today: Challenges and Triumphs
The film also paints Hat Fair as it stands today, highlighting its status as part of Play to the Crowd arts and education charity, its role in co-commissioning UK outdoor arts, and the financial challenges it faces. This 50-year journey from a spontaneous celebration of street performance to a major cultural event offers a tribute to the enduring impact of Hat Fair on the Winchester community.
A Collaborative Effort
Produced by Shortcuts Video Production with support from the Hampshire Archives Trust Small Grant, Street Life features interviews with Deryck Newland (Chief Executive of Play to the Crowd), Andrew Loretto (Hat Fair and Playmakers Director), and Jonathan Kay (Hat Fair founder). This documentary not only commemorates the festival's past but also sparks conversations about its future.
