As Hull was crowned the UK City of Culture for 2017, Steve Arnott – a warehouse worker and aspiring rapper – persuaded his employer to support his ‘Beats Bus’, a bus-turned-recording studio that tours schools and encourages children, many of whom live in poverty, to express themselves. Director Sean McAllister was born in Hull, returning to make his groundbreaking documentary film A Northern Soul after being charged with creating a week-long event to mark the beginning of Hull’s year of culture. The critically-acclaimed film explores not only the story of Steve and his bus, but the dynamics of poverty in modern Britain. At an event at its Westminster headquarters the Resolution Foundation screened A Northern Soul, and then welcomed Sean McAllister to discuss the making of the film. He was joined by Katie Schmuecker, Head of Policy for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, before taking part in an expert Q&A. Speakers: Sean McAllister, Director, A Northern Soul Katie Schmuecker, Head of Policy, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Matthew Whittaker, Deputy Director, Resolution Foundation (Chair)
