Urban radical, the Edgware Walker

It’s not often that short filmmakers get a public, wide-reaching platform to discuss their work, which is why I thought I’d direct your ears to an interview with Lee Kern on Radio 6. Lee was on the George Lamb show earlier this week to talk about the release of his short doc The Edgware Walker on DVD. For those who’ve not seen the film, I insist you buy it. The film is a shining example of lo-fi, DIY filmmaking at its best. Having not made a film previous to this, Lee proves that combining an untold story with creative will can result in a film that is worthy of an audience.

The film tells the story of quasi-mythical figure and (sub)urban legend, the Edgware Walker. Known for his ramblings around Edgware in nothing but his underpants, the man, over the years, has been the centre of local speculation. Not dissimilar to the Edies in Grey Gardens (1975), it’s discovered that this urban wanderer had been living in a million pound home amongst rats and garbage, and to the director’s surprise, was well-spoken and charming.

Most of us can relate to this story – we’ve all known local figures who spark our interest because of their eccentric behaviour or unusual circumstances. A couple of years back, it was discovered that a former BBC newsreader was sleeping rough on Brighton’s seafront. Just as locals were intrigued by his fall from grace, those interviewed in Lee’s doc are all curious as to how the Edgware Walker found himself routing through bins wearing only his y-fronts. The film explores this idea of folklore. Like the local church or run-down youth centre, these people are part of the landscape; they mould our memories and form a common consciousness. The Edgware Walker reminds us that small, intimate stories are just as important as large-scale ‘change the world’ docs – they too are ‘social change’ films. Just in a different way.

(To listen to Lee’s interview, fast forward to 1:39)