Documentary exposes far-right extremism in U.K. and U.S

Havana Marking's documentary, "Undercover: Exposing the Far Right," focuses on the investigations conducted by Hope Not Hate. The film uses hidden cameras to expose violent far-right extremist groups in the U.K. and the U.S. Among those featured is Mark Weber, an American Holocaust denier. The documentary follows Patrik Hermansson, who infiltrated the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, and journalist Harry Shukman, who began his own undercover work recently. Marking gained rare access to their two-year project, marking a first for her and the organization. The access came after building trust with the investigative team. Last year, the BFI London Film Festival removed the film from its lineup last minute over safety concerns. Festival director Kristy Matheson acknowledged the film's quality but prioritized the safety of staff. "Undercover" later premiered on Channel 4 in the U.K. and continues to show at various festivals. Marking believes the film could help those unaware of the manipulative tactics employed by far-right groups, especially online. In a recent interview, she discussed the risks involved in making the film. These included filming at extreme rallies and ensuring they didn't compromise the safety of the Hope Not Hate team. She expressed disappointment over the London Film Festival's decision to pull the film, calling it cowardly. Marking worries that such actions empower the far right. She also noted a trend where film festivals might censor political works, raising concerns about the future of political documentaries. The documentary has found success in Europe but has struggled to attract U.S. distributors, prompting Marking to reflect on the changing atmosphere for political films in the U.S.