Entertainment · Film · 7 hrs ago
Documentary revisits the case of the Bradford 12
Rebellion is a documentary about the Bradford 12, a group of 12 young South Asian men in Bradford, in northern England.
In the early 1980s, they stood trial on terrorism charges after preparing to defend their community from a racist attack.
Filmmakers Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood retrace the case and its wider impact.
Mehmood was one of the 12 men.
The film took three or four years to make, after Fero and Mehmood first discussed the project more than 30 years earlier.
Its directors say the story feels relevant amid the growth of far-right politics and the vilification of migrants in the UK.
They argue that racist attacks threaten not only migrants but also the liberties of wider society.
The film is set to premiere on October 14 at the BFI London Film Festival.
The documentary Rebellion revisits the case of 12 young South Asian men who stood trial on terrorism charges in the early 1980s.
The men were charged after preparing to defend their community from a racist attack.
Activist filmmakers Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood made the film, with Mehmood himself one of the Bradford 12.
The film retraces the case and its broader impact.
Rebellion is scheduled to have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 14.
- Who
- The Bradford 12, 12 young South Asian men, and the filmmakers Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood.
- What
- Rebellion is a documentary revisiting the Bradford 12 case and its broader impact.
- When
- The trial took place in the early 1980s. The film is scheduled to premiere on Oct. 14.
- Where
- Bradford, in northern England; the film will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.
- Why
- Fero said the film was made amid a rise in far-right politics and the vilification of migrants.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I’ve never heard of the Bradford 12.
The time is right.
Twelve young South Asian men in Bradford stood trial on terrorism charges for preparing to defend their community from a racist attack.
Ken Fero met Tariq Mehmood while making Britain’s Black Legacy, and Mehmood told him about the Bradford 12.
Fero and Mehmood decided it was time to tell the story in a film.
Rebellion is scheduled to have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.
- Bradford 12
- 12 young South Asian men
- Location
- Bradford, in northern England
- Filmmakers
- Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood
- Production time
- Three or four years
- World premiere
- Oct. 14, BFI London Film Festival











