LUNAR SOCIETY hosts commonwealth film premiere on king charles iii birthday

The Lunar Society welcomed members and their guests to the premiere of a specially commissioned film that shed light on modern attitudes towards the Commonwealth on the same day as King Charles III birthday.

‘The Future of the Commonwealth’ was created by filmmaker Daniel Anderson as part of a two-year, National Lottery Heritage Funded project to explore and celebrate the relationship between the original Lunar Society of Birmingham and the Commonwealth.

Daniel said: “The Commonwealth was formed nearly 100 years ago, and during this time has generated a multitude of different opinions from the public. This film provides a fascinating insight into how people from a wide range of backgrounds view the Commonwealth today.”

The event came just weeks after the Commonwealth Heads of Government will select the 7th Secretary General of the Commonwealth in Samoa.

The Lunar legacy

The project has looked at the Lunar Society’s positive contribution to global issues, such as the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, scientific and medical advances, and the advancement of religious and political liberty. At the same time, it has also looked into the Society’s more ambiguous activities, such as how some of its members benefited from their links to slavery.

Other activities have included guided tours, archive workshops at the Library of Birmingham, talks on Commonwealth and Lunar Society related topics and family events at Soho House.

An evening of enlightenment

As well as the main film, guests were treated to a second short-film about a schools' project called 'Birmingham in Common', in which primary school students discuss the Commonwealth and its impact on Birmingham. The event also featured a panel discussion, the launch of the Lunar Society’s ‘Heritage for the Future’ booklet, and more.

You can watch The Future of the Commonwealth in full by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFSqYsSkeTk