Welcome

For one night only on October 14th, Europe’s first ever interactive feature film was broadcast live online and at cinemas around the UK and Europe. This site is dedicated to hosting a European archive of interviews and research material that inspired the Bloodyminded film.

The story follows SJ as she breaks into an army base to bury the ashes of her great-grandfather, a conscientious objector during World War One. Inside, surrounded by soldiers and the ghosts of past wars, she finds a place where her certainty begins to falter.

Part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, Bloodyminded is Europe’s first interactive live streamed feature film, shot in a single take and broadcast to cinemas and online – once and once only. Guided by the narrator, we are asked to consider our own relationship with violence – as individuals and as members of a society that continues to wage wars on our behalf. During the live broadcast, audiences were asked to add their thoughts via the Bloodyminded website.

Bloodyminded has been inspired by research into World War One conscientious objectors carried out at the Imperial War Museum [London], Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr [Dresden], Bundesarchiv [Berlin], Bibliothèque nationale de France and interviews with British Army veterans who generously shared their experiences of training, frontline combat, banter, bullying and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

As the story unfolded in real time, we interacted with questions posed to us by Harold, our narrator. Harold is a character developed from a real life conscientious objector called Harold Steele, whose story script writer Matt Adams discovered during his research at the Imperial War Museum.

Created by four-times BAFTA nominated Blast Theory, Bloodyminded took audiences on a moving and disturbing interactive journey that asks us to make our own decisions about the morality of war.

Bloodyminded is a new work by Blast Theory, co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions and by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. Presented online by Boiler Room 4:3 as Digital Presenting Partners. Bloodyminded has been created with the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union, The Space and Polden-Puckham. Media Partner, Pathfinder International.

Bloodyminded was shown online and at the following European cinemas:

Basel – kult.kino atelier, Belfast – Queen’s Film Theatre, Berlin – Sputnik Kino, Berlin – Rollberg Kinos, Brighton – Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Bristol – Watershed, London – Barbican, Manchester – HOME, Newcastle – Tyneside Cinema

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FAQ

Who is Blast Theory?

We are a group of artists who make interactive work. We create conversations between strangers online, on the streets and in museums, theatres and cinemas. Read a bit about our history and our approach here  on our website or check out some of our favourite recent projects here.

What is Bloodyminded?

Bloodyminded was a live interactive film produced by Blast Theory that invited audiences to interact; responding to questions directed to them by a narrator who asked them to consider their own relationship with violence – as individuals and as members of a society that continues to wage war on our behalf.

How is it interactive?

The audience do not change the story: they share their own views and experiences. Audiences interacted with the live broadcast by responding to questions put directly to them by the narrator. During the live broadcast, questions appeared on screen and those watching online could type and submit their responses. Audiences in the cinema could use a web interface on their mobile phone to do the same.

How can I watch the film?

You can watch the full film here at bloodyminded.org and on Blast Theory’s YouTube channel until November 11th.

Did the film really happen live?

Yes. Bloodyminded was shot live in a single continuous 90 minute take on October 14th which was broadcast from in and around an army base somewhere in the UK.

Can audiences with hearing impairments take part?

If you require a copy of the screenplay script please contact [email protected]

Is there certification for the film?

The film is not certified but we recommend Bloodyminded for ages 14+. It contains some strong language.

Where was Bloodyminded filmed?

The cast and crew filmed and broadcast Bloodyminded live in a single continuous shot from locations in and around an army base in the UK.

Where can I find out more about the storyline?

SJ is on a quest … you can read more here.

Who funded the project?

Bloodyminded is co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions and Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. Created with support from the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union and Polden-Puckham. Media Partner, Pathfinder International. 14-18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Are there subtitles for non-English speakers?

Subtitled film clips will be available to watch here on bloodyminded.org

and on Blast Theory’s YouTube channel.

Can I watch the film online from outside the UK and Europe?

Yes, you can watch online from anywhere as long as you have access to the internet.

What devices and software are supported for watching online?

To watch and interact at bloodyminded.org you’ll need a recent laptop, smartphone or tablet with an up-to-date browser.

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Bloodyminded is a new work by Blast Theory, co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions and Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts.

Presented online by Boiler Room’s 4:3. Created with support from the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union (Project601437-CITIZ-1-2018-1-UK-CITIZ-REMEM), The Space and Polden-Puckham. Media Partner, Pathfinder International.

14-18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.