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Filmography - Deborah Perkin /

Interviewing Patricia Scotland, first black woman QC and Attorney General

Interviewing Patricia Scotland, first black woman QC and Attorney General

First 100 Years (London School of Economics Library, 2020, 75 x 10 mins)
Interviews with the UK’s top women lawyers, Celebrating a hundred years since women entered the legal profession. https://first100years.org.uk/
(Executive Producer: Angela Holdsworth Commissioner: Dana Denis-Smith)

Welsh Women of World War One (BBC1 Wales, 2016, 30 mins)
21st century women in bomb-making, farming and policing discuss what they owe to their foremothers in the Great War, who opened up and changed their jobs for ever.
(DPML co-pro with Green Bay Media. Executive Producers: John Geraint & Angela Holdsworth) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07kckbl

Bastards  (Theatrical release, 2014, 83 mins, 12A on Prime, iTunes and DVD)
A young woman who takes on tradition, her own family and the Moroccan legal system, for the sake of her illegitimate child. Score by Debbie Wiseman and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Multiple prizes from film festivals around the world, and international television distribution. Available to poorer countries through a BBC Storyville Global collaboration with Danish public television.
(Executive Producers Peter Grimsdale, Angela Holdsworth and Adam Partridge)ttps://www.deborahperkin.com/bastards 

“more tense, more gripping than many mainstream films out there in cinemas”  (Mark Kermode BBC)                                                    “deserves to be widely seen” (Wall Street Journal)                                                                                                                                                    ★★★★ “extraordinarily intimate and moving” (Geoffrey Macnab, Independent)

Berber Marriage Festival in the Atlas Mountains (S4C and France 5, 2013, 60 mins)
Capturing for the first time the annual mass marriage ceremony at the Imilchil nomad trading fair in Morocco’s High Atlas (Executive Producer: Phil George) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWK-0ys9frM

Day of the Dead Festival in Oaxaca, Mexico (S4C & France 5, 2013, 60 mins)
Capturing the annual festival of death in Oaxaca, and exploring its pagan-Christian roots. (Executive Producer: Phil George) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWK-0ys9frM

The Man Who Discovered Egypt (BBC4, 2012, 60 mins)
Profile of Sir Flinders Petrie, the Victorian polymath and adventurer who raged against the tomb raiders vandalizing Egypt’s ancient treasures. In doing so created archaeology as a field science and academic discipline, presented by Chris Naunton (Commissioners Martin Davidson/Richard Klein) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01f13f4
“A documentary about an unknown Victorian archaeologist? Now that’s my idea of a great night in.” (John Crace, Guardian)

Village SOS (Development Producer, BBC1, 6 x 60 mins)
I led the BBC/Big Lottery Fund partnership which invested £10m in rural community businesses across the UK. Six were filmed over two years as they revivified dying villages. Sarah Beaney presented. (Executive Producer: Meredith Chambers) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012zvq5

Ban The Boss (BBC1 and BBC HD, 2010, 60 mins)
Business guru Paul Thomas empowers South Wales binmen to run a cheaper and better public service.
(Executive Producer: Meredith Chambers) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tcxd2
“funny and fascinating” (South Wales Echo)

Just Read (BBC4 2009, 60 mins)
Children’s poet laureate Michael Rosen spends a term in a Cardiff primary school leading a reading revolution. First in BBC4’s Reading Matters season, the programme led to a Book Trust/NUT “Just Read” campaign, and was cited as inspirational by Philip Pullman and Glenys Kinnock. (Executive Producers Richard Klein & Adrian Davies)
“the charismatic Rosen is on a mission to preach about the wonder of the written word in this quietly inspirational film” (Simon Horsford Daily Telegraph)

A Garden in Snowdonia (BBC2 2009, 5 x 30 mins,Co-Executive Producer with Marian Wyn Jones) Much-needed improvements at a neglected National Trust treasure, Bodnant Gardens.
“gorgeous new half hour series” (Daily Star)

Quincy Jones: the many lives of Q (BBC4 2008, 2 x 60 mins)
Unflinching profile of the musical genius who produced Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, arranged “Fly Me to the Moon” for Frank Sinatra, wrote the score for “The Italian Job”, had seven children and divorced three times. With Harry Belafonte, Michael Caine, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Richie and many more.
(Executive Producer: Paul Bullock) BAFTA Cymru award
“great documentary…inspiring…a treat” (Guardian) “an expansive and immersive documentary” (Daily Mail)
“first-class profile packed with glittering stars” (Radio Times)

China’s Terracotta Warriors (BBC2 + BBC HD Channel 2007, 60 mins)
Dan Show visits China to tell the story of its First Emperor, and watches the British Museum mount its blockbuster exhibition over a year.
(Executive Producer Sam Organ)
“as fascinating for its insights into the daunting logistics of the exhibition as it is for its revelations about Qin’s extraordinary life” (Karl French Financial Times)

A New Year at Kew (Series Producer, BBC2 2007, 10 x 30 mins)
Horticulture, science, history and humanity behind the scenes at Kew Gardens, a much-loved series narrated by Alan Titchmarsh.
(Executive Producer: Clare Paterson)
“It’s this combination of characters and horticulture that makes this series so endearing. The lowering of the blinds in the new Alpine House, is one of the most beautiful sequences imaginable.” (Jane Rackham Radio Times)

Kew Palace Revealed (BBC2, 2006, 60 mins)
Following Historic Royal Palaces’ restoration of “mad” King George III’s house, featuring an exclusive interview with Prince Charles.
(Executive Producer Richard Klein)
“this stunning film tells the story of a Georgian time capsule and its restoration – Grand Designs, eat your heart out.” (David Butcher Radio Times)

Timewatch: Britain’s Lost Colosseum (BBC2, 2005, 50 mins)
Two eccentric archaeologists unearth the secrets of British gladiators during English Heritage’s excavation of Chester’s Roman amphitheatre. (Timewatch Editor John Farren)
“Maximus Britannicus!” (Daily Mail)
“Watching two slightly overweight archaeologists tramping around Chester may not be everyone’s idea of a Friday night, but this is a fascinating and cleverly-produced programme” (Charlie Catchpole Daily Express)

Battlefield Britain: the Battle for Wales (BBC2, 2004, 60 mins)
Peter and Dan Snow explore Owain Glyndwr’s war against Henry IV, with CGI cast of thousands, jousting horses, forty longbow archers and buckets of blood. BAFTA Cymru award
(Executive Producers: Jane Aldous & Danielle Peck)
“entertaining and informative in equal measure, a treat” (William Lee OTV)

My Son the Killer (BBC1, 2003, 60 mins)
A father’s search for the truth about his son who is serving a record-breaking 26 year life sentence for murder. He asks if he is to blame. Watched by 6 million viewers.
(Executive Producer Tessa Livingstone)
“this intriguing film…explores nurture, red in tooth and claw” (Thomas Sutcliffe Guardian)
“the grimmest possible warning of the dangers of parental bullying” (Paul Hoggart Times)

Timewatch: Rocket and its Rivals (BBC2, 2003, 50 mins)
An 1829 railway competition is re-run with three lifesize replica engines racing on a two mile long track – experimental history on a grand scale. (Timewatch Editor Laurence Rees)
“as exciting as Robot Wars, brought history wonderfully alive” (Daily Telegraph)
“this funny and engaging Timewatch is a real winner…captures the spirit of adventure” (Tom Morgan Daily Express)

Child of Our Time: Active or Idle (BBC1, 2002, 60 mins)
Robert Winston presents the latest update on the BBC’s millennium babies. Now two and a half, will they be superfit athletes or couch potatoes?
(Executive Producer: Tessa Livingstone)

Timewatch: The Mystery of the Iron Bridge (BBC2, 2002, 50 mins)
A young engineer directs a troop of Royal Engineers, using 18th century methods, to work out how the world’s first metal structure was built. (Timewatch Editor Laurence Rees)
“exhilarating and fascinating” (Daily Telegraph)

Timewatch: Roman Soldiers to Be (BBC2, 2001, 50 mins)
In a 1st century-style camp, nine men abandon their modern clothes and gadgets, and get to grips with sword, javelin, guard duty, cooking over a fire, and a 25 mile march in full kit.
(Timewatch Editor Laurence Rees)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010wtxb
“a piece of test-bench experimentation that no amount of academic theorising could come close to. Extraordinary television!” (Michael Holland Observer)

Mountain Rescue (BBC1, 2000, 50 mins, Co-Executive Producer with Marian Wyn Jones)
Following the Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team in their dangerous quest to protect and save visitors to the Snowdonia National Park.

The Good Doctor: NHS Pioneers (BBC2, 1996, 40 mins)
From a tiny Welsh mining village, Dr Julian Tudor Hart pioneered blood pressure screening and heart disease treatment, proving that a family doctor could influence the entire medical world.
(Executive Producers: Tessa Livingstone & Angela Holdsworth)
“marks a welcome departure from our obsession with fame and wealth” (Christina Odone Daily Telegraph)

Labours of Eve: Joan’s Story (BBC2, 1995, 30 mins) British Medical Association Award
A 46 year old woman’s triumph against infertility through egg donation, following the death of her two sons and her own severe injuries in a road accident.
(Executive Producers: Tessa Livingstone & Angela Holdsworth)
“intensely emotional study, compelling” (Time Out)
“powerful, sympathetic, devoid of tabloid sensationalism” (Polly Toynbee Radio Times)

Labours of Eve: Mary’s Story (BBC2, 1995, 30 mins)
After 26 failed attempts at artificial insemination, Mary adopted a son. Six years later she discovered one of her donors had died of AIDS, and now she is HIV positive.
Series Producers: Angela Holdsworth and Tessa Livingstone
“unexploitative…..a story of compassion and resourcefulness with a human heart” (Time Out)
“emotionally charged, a testament to human courage” (Daily Mail)

Breach of Faith: Everyman (BBC1, 1993, 60 mins)
Exposes the career of paedophile priest Samuel Penney and the way the Catholic Church protected him from the police for seven years
Editor: John Blake Executive Producer Boxclever Productions: Claire Walmsley
“a model investigation into child abuse” (John Naughton, Observer)
“Deborah Perkin’s angry film wisely kept its temper” (Allison Pearson, IoS)

Call to Prayer (BBC1, 1993, 4 x 15 mins)
Four part portrait series about British Muslims for transmission during Ramadan
Executive producer The Drama House: Jack Emery “insightful” (Guardian)

Advice Shop (BBC1, 1993, 15 x 30 Series Producer)
Weekly roadshow with investigation, advice and bright ideas about citizens’ rights.
(Executive Producer Bazal: Peter Bazalgette)

Visible Harm: Dispatches (Channel 4, 1992, 40 mins)
Investigation into the links between pornography and violence, with reference to new legislation in Canada. (Executive producer Gondar Films: Roger Bolton)

Taking Liberties: Cold Comfort (BBC2, 1990, 30 mins)
Investigation into government and food industry intransigence over listeria food poisoning
Junior Health Minister promised change following day.
(Series Producer: Elizabeth Clough)

Taking Liberties: Positive Discrimination (BBC2, 1989, 30 mins)
First British programme to investigate employment discrimination against people with HIV.
(Series Producer: Elizabeth Clough) Held by National Aids Trust library.

Taking Liberties: Trooping the Colour (BBC2, 1989, 30 mins)
Investigation into racial bullying, abuse and discrimination in the British Army.
Programme requested by House of Commons Select Committee on Defence.
(Series Producer: Elizabeth Clough)
“elegantly made – the edgy documentary came alive and kicked” (Mark Lawson Indpendent)

Esther Interviews… (BBC1, 1988, Series Producer 6 x 30)
Esther Rantzen talks to celebrity guests she knows personally, including Dudley Moore and Mary Tyler Moore. David Owen MP made front page headlines when he admitted that he had cried when the SDP broke apart.
(Executive Producer: Will Wyatt)

Out of the Doll’s House: Breaking Free (BBC2, 1988, 50 mins)
Archive and eye-witness accounts of women’s determination to enter politics through the 20th century – from the 106 year old suffragette who bombed a polling station, to the myth of bra burning, to the first woman prime minister. (Executive Producer: Angela Holdsworth)
“excellent unpompous style…ingenuity…an absorbing package” (John Naughton, Observer)
Selected for Paris and Chicago Film Festivals; Broadcasting Press Guild Best Series 1988