McLibel

For years McDonald's used English libel law to shut down criticism, and large media organisations apologised and backed off. Two people did not: Helen Steel, a gardener, and Dave Morris, a postman. In the longest trial in English legal history they represented themselves. Every side of the company was put to the question in court: nutrition, working conditions, treatment of animals, the environment, advertising to children. The documentary was made by Franny Armstrong together with Ken Loach, who directed the courtroom reconstructions and took no fee for it. The case finally ended at the European Court of Human Rights in 2005. The film is less about hamburgers than about freedom of speech.