2027 Film and History Breaks at The Green Park with Ian Garden

 ‘Framing Freedom’

Occupation, resistance and the stories we tell

 From revolution in America to life under Nazi occupation and right through to the fight for the Falkland Islands, the 2027 Film and History Break will take you on a vast journey of discovery where we’ll talk about freedom, borders, propaganda, resistance and the people caught up in history — and enjoy some wonderful cinema at the same time.
Each day mixes short talks and documentaries with a feature film, giving you both the background and the drama behind some of the most fascinating conflicts of the last few centuries.
The opening day explores how struggles for independence help define nations and identities. In the morning, we examine the American War of Independence through short documentary films, tracing the political ideas, personalities, and conflicts that shaped a new country. In the afternoon, the screening of the Oscar-winning film, 49th Parallel (1941) shifts the focus to Canada, using WW2 drama to explore borders, loyalty, and freedom. Though set in different centuries, both sessions ask similar questions about belonging, resistance, and the meaning of liberty.
Day two looks at what happens when war comes home. In the morning, we explore Nazi occupation in Europe, with special attention to the Channel Islands and daily life under control. Rather than big battles, we focus on ordinary people and small acts of defiance. In the afternoon, Appointment with Venus (1951) brings that world to life through a charming and gently comedic wartime tale that uses the rescue of a prized cow to highlight the absurdity of conflict and the quiet resilience of ordinary people. 
Our final day moves into a more modern conflict with the Falklands War. The morning explores why the war happened, how it was fought, and how it was explained to the public at the time. We consider how war is shaped not just by soldiers, but by governments and media narratives. In the afternoon, the exciting 1940 Hitchcock spy thriller, Foreign Correspondent (1940) places a journalist at the very heart of international tension as he tries to expose enemy spies in the prelude to WW2. The film shows how information, propaganda, and courage collide.
This will be the ninth Film and History Break which Ian will have run at Green Park. Much of the content reflects feedback from previous courses and draws on his detailed research into various war topics. History provides the facts, cinema provides the emotional landscape and Ian is confident that you will find this latest programme informative and thought-provoking.

There is no supplementary charge for single accommodation on any of our activity breaks, and as normal, we can arrange complimentary transport ( on your day of arrival and on your day of departure ) between the hotel and the bus and railway stations.

Details about all of our activity breaks are readily available - either download a copy from this section, ask for them during you stay, or just telephone the hotel and ask us to forward a programme for whatever activity you are interested in.