A life dedicated to empowering communities through media: Mark Saunders' legacy.
We mourn the loss of Mark Saunders, a visionary filmmaker and community advocate, who passed away at the age of 68. Mark's journey as an independent filmmaker began in the early 1980s, and his impact on participatory media practices is nothing short of remarkable.
But here's where it gets controversial... Mark believed in the power of communities to tell their own stories. In 1982, he founded Despite TV, a media co-operative that utilized the newly accessible video technology provided by Channel 4. This led to the creation of regular video magazines covering local London issues and longer films that delved into critical topics like the Wapping dispute, urban development, and the poll tax riots. Mark's innovative technique involved collaborating with community groups to produce video diaries, meticulously analyzing and editing the footage to reveal deeper insights.
And this is the part most people miss... Mark's approach was inclusive and collaborative. He worked with educational institutions, NGOs, local councils, and cultural institutions, providing participants with the skills and tools to become their own storytellers. His work with Spectacle Productions, a TV production company he founded in 1990, focused on community-led investigative journalism, shedding light on housing struggles, human rights, and social justice issues.
Mark's curiosity knew no bounds. In 1991, he established the media collective Jakow Videocoopin in Rostock, Germany, to explore the effects of German reunification. The result was The Truth Lies in Rostock, a powerful documentary that showcased Mark's ability to engage with communities and tell their stories authentically.
Mark's impact extended beyond London. In Luton, he worked with residents of Marsh Farm on a series of films that highlighted the transformative power of community-centered activities. Exodus from Babylon, the third film in this series, was broadcast on Channel 4 in 1997.
In 2000, Mark formed a video group on the Silwood estate in Rotherhithe, capturing over 350 hours of footage over two decades. The groups he established became long-lasting, providing a platform for hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds and ages to share their stories. Mark had plans to develop an "active archive" of his work, ensuring his legacy would live on.
Born in Plaistow, London, to an architect father and a mother with a creative spirit, Mark's upbringing in Upminster and education at Hornchurch grammar school shaped his passion for film, television, and photography. He graduated with a degree from the London College of Printing and furthered his studies with a master's in screenwriting from the University of the Arts London.
Mark's personal life was just as enriching. He met his future wife briefly in Latvia in 2000 and again in Canada in 2002, where he delivered a keynote speech at Concordia University. They married in 2004, and Mark's calm and empathetic nature, along with his love for humor and language learning, made him a beloved figure. He was often found in his garden, notepad and pencil at the ready, and enjoyed long urban walks for research and relaxation, as well as country walks with his family.
Mark leaves behind a legacy of empowerment and storytelling. He is survived by his son, Teo, his brother, Chris, his parents, and Leon, his son from a previous relationship.
As we reflect on Mark's life, we are left with a question: How can we continue his mission of giving voice to communities and ensuring their stories are heard? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
