Liverpool Story shows audiences their city in a different light

A documentary about Liverpool shone the spotlight on the city, its culture and communities during its premiere at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall last week. On Thursday, November 21 audiences were treated to a beautiful organ introduction before the first look at the new film, Liverpool Story, directed by local filmmaker, Daniel Draper.

Introducing the film on stage, Daniel revealed how he was inspired by the 1929 short film, ‘A Day in Liverpool’, to capture life in the city. Speaking to the audience, comprised of many people who had a hand in helping create this film, he said: “Everyone here tonight has some kind of investment in Liverpool.”

Labelling the film as ‘alternative’, the Norris Green-born filmmaker described the project as “a polaroid snapshot of 2023.” Commenting on the film’s lasting legacy, Daniel said: “Who knows, as time goes by, we might appreciate it, we might sort of be angry at it, it might just be a faint memory but I think the most important thing is it exists and I'm very proud of it.”

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The film opens with a series of underwater shots, and the film showcases the city in clips which capture a bustling city centre, open green spaces to derelict houses and abandoned shops. What I enjoyed the most were the charming moments of local people going about their lives including some deliberate fourth-wall breaking moments, where passers-by walk into shot or ask the film crew if their contribution to the film was okay. It felt to me like Liverpool itself became a character and was the real star of this cinematic creation. I also appreciated that the film features different communities within Liverpool, touching on important issues such as immigration and racism.

However, I left the screening with a sense that something was missing, and that the film lacked a connecting thread that brought the different aspects of the film together. It felt somewhat disjointed to me - but that may be due to the film’s lack of a traditional narrative or plot.

Overall, I felt this film provided an honest depiction of Liverpool in 2023 through an abstract lens, and while it may not have been exactly my cup of tea, it certainly offered an interesting perspective on our city and the communities we might not see every dat.

Liverpool Story will be showing at FACT cinema followed by a Q&A on Thursday, November 28. It will be showing at the ODEON release starting Tuesday, December 3.