FAMILIES with memories of the old London Docks are being asked to share their stories for a new film about seafaring, to kick off next year’s East End Film Festival

By Mike Brooke

FAMILIES with memories of the old London Docks are being asked to share their stories for a new film about seafaring.

The film, The Rime of the Modern Mariner, written by journalist Mark Donne, is set to kick off next year’s East End Film Festival.

It will feature myths and folklore from East London that are still told by mariners today, while stars of the music world give it a rock’ edge.

Former Libertine and Dirty Pretty Things frontman Carl Barat will narrate, with guitarist Anthony Rossomondo creating the musical score.

The film is to be screened and performed next April with a live musical score at St Anne’s Church in Limehouse, in the heart of old Dockland, exploring the history of the docks and wharves along the Thames waterfront.

The audience will be taken on a trip’ on a modern container ship and see what characteristics have survived into modern seafaring, while they look at real life Docklands’ stories.

It is the centrepiece of the 2010 Film Festival funded by Tower Hamlets Council which also includes screenings of premieres, documentaries, and shorts as well as gala events, live music, street art and seminars at venues across the East End.

Mark Donne wants to hear from dockers to share memories about the docks by email here or by calling him on 07854-736582.

The London Docks started closing down towards the end of the 1960s, beginning with St Katharine’s-by-The-Tower, spreading downriver to Wapping, then Millwall Docks which were redeveloped into today’s prestigious Canary Wharf, and the Royal Docks at Silvertown by the end of the 70s which made way for ExCell and London City Airport.