Thoughtcrime

Thoughtcrime explores the erosion of free speech in the United Kingdom and beyond, told through the cases of Harry Miller and Graham Linehan. It examines the UK’s non-crime hate laws and their impact on individuals, civil liberties, and the pursuit of truth, and exposes the double standards behind laws that often target unpopular opinions and dissenting voices.

Through interviews with Harry Miller, Sarah Phillimore, James Esses and other affected individuals, alongside analysis from legal scholars, political commentators, and free speech advocates, the film paints a vivid picture of what suppressing speech costs a democracy, and the danger of allowing government overreach and censorship to undermine the fundamental right to express one’s opinions.

The case studies are concrete. Sam Melia, sent to prison for two years for putting up stickers, where the judge stated that no crime was committed, so, instead, he was jailed on intent. Darren Brady, visited by seven police officers for retweeting a post that rearranged four LGBTQ flags to form the Nazi swastika, told they were there because he had caused someone anxiety. By presenting a balanced and nuanced perspective on a complex issue, the film urges viewers to critically examine the consequences of suppressing free speech and the dangerous precedent it sets, and serves as a reminder that the battle for free speech is far from over, and that it is up to each and every one of us to defend our rights and protect the foundations of democracy.