Train drivers to protest film premiere

2:53pm Thursday 17th April 2008

Comments (9)   Have your say »

TUBE drivers plan to protest at the premiere of a new film about suicide starring Dartford-born actor Mackenzie Crook.

Members of the train drivers union ASLEF plan to hand out leaflets to cinema goers at the launch of the film "Three and Out" on Monday.

The film stars former Wilmington Grammar School pupil Mackenzie Crook and Gravesend-born Bond girl Gemma Arterton.

It is the story of a tube driver played by the star of the Office, who wants to find someone willing to kill themself by jumping in front of his train, so he can claim compensation.

The leaflet, which will be handed out at the premier of the film at the Odeon in Leicester Square contains an open letter.

The letter reads:"We hope you enjoy the movie tonight but please remember that for train drivers like ourselves deaths on the railway are never funny."

And continues:"ASLEF has worked hard to get train companies to recognise the effect of railway suicides on our members.

"We want them to provide a proper support and counselling services for the drivers.

"That is why we were so disappointed that London Underground provided facilities and locations to make the film.

ASLEF General Secretary Keith Norman says the film is not an appropriate subject for a comedy.

Mr Norman said: "I can't find anything amusing about people so distressed that they are driven to suicide.

"These incidents can mean life-changing traumas for drivers who have been involved.

"I don't want ASLEF to look like some sort of kill-joy organisation - because we're not.

"But there are issues which we shouldn't ignore - and this is one of them.

"I want the public to be aware of how distressing it can be for a driver to discover a body under the wheels of his or her train."

He added: "Of all the subjects in the world to make into a light entertainment film, there can be few more insensitive than a death at work."

A spokesman's for WBE, the film's distributors said: "It is disappointing that ASLEF has reacted in this way.

"People who see the film will make up their own minds but we feel that by far the majority will see that the difficult issues portrayed in the film have been handled sensitively.

"Filming was carried out in close co-operation with London Underground to ensure that drivers and others who could identify with elements of Three And Out were considered throughout the production process.

"The script was also sent to The Samaritans, who feature in one scene of the film."