about us
Frontline is a media club that uniquely combines eating, drinking and thinking. A three-minute walk from Paddington Station, spread over three stripped wooden floors, it has a private clubroom for members, and a restaurant and forum space open to the public.
During the day, light streams through huge windows onto the exposed brickwork and photographic exhibitions in the loft-style restaurant and members’ room. At night the emphasis shifts to enlightenment through the Forum, with its screenings and discussions on media issues.
The Frontline Club is committed to social entrepreneurship - profits from the restaurant and efforts from Club members help the work of the Frontline Charitable Trust and its events programme.
"Small, funky, very focused but rather cool" Peter York, The Independent
history
The Frontline Club opened its doors soon after the Frontline Television News agency closed down. Frontline TV was created over Christmas lunch in the midst of the chaos and confusion of the Romanian revolution. It went on to become a key player in the independent fringe of television newsgathering.
“Frontline will be remembered as one of the high peaks of journalism. Martha Gellhorn certainly thought so, and she was a pretty good judge” John Simpson
The Club was set up by the surviving members of the original team of maverick cameramen, and dedicated to the memory of friends and colleagues who lost their lives gathering news and images from the world’s conflict zones.
This history is reflected throughout the building in our changing photographic exhibitions. The current War and Protest exhibition is made up of iconic black and white from some of the world’s finest photographers, including the legendary Robert Capa.
The Club quickly became a centre for a diverse group of people united by their passion for quality journalism and dedication to ensuring that stories that fade from headlines are kept in sharp focus. It exists to promote freedom of expression and support journalists, cameramen and photographers who risk their lives in the course of their work.
Event Calendar
May 2008
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1st May
It is impossible to underestimate the importance of a good local fixer in getting to the heart of the story, especially in fast-moving and complex situations. Does the industry give them editorial credit for the role they play in getting the stories, do they compensate them financially and are they doing enough to ensure their safety and protection?All proceeds from this event will go towards the Frontline Fixers Fund.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
| 2
2nd May
As newspapers wrestle with declining circulation and the rise of the new media, is the profession behind the headlines in jeopardy?
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
2nd May
In the summer of 2007 a farmer in southern India found a two-day old baby girl who had been buried alive. Rushed to the local hospital, she miraculously survived. But in today’s India, many other baby girls are not so lucky...
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ
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6th May
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has witnessed one of the world’s worst ongoing humanitarian crises, where as many as 5.4 million people may have died since 1998. We discuss why this country is beset by so many problems and if there are any forseeable solutions for it.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
| 7
7th May
Marcus Bleasdale has now spent eight years covering the brutal conflict within the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the work was published in his book One Hundred Years of Darkness. Tonight he will present his work focusing on the people in Eastern Congo’s mining towns, where militia groups and government forces battle on a daily basis for control of the mineral-rich areas where they can exploit gold, coltan, cassiterite and diamonds.
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 IQJ
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11
11th May
In the DRC there are tens of thousands of women who have been systematically kidnapped, raped, mutilated and tortured by soldiers from both foreign militias and the Congolese army. The world knows nothing of these women. Their stories have never been told. They suffer and die in silence. In The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo these brave women finally speak.
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ
| 12
12th May
As part of Frontline’s Congo Season, we present two reports that focus on the role that the UN plays in the DRC and discuss with the filmmakers whether its mission is still a valid one.The UN's Dirty War (Unreported World)Unreported World travels to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, and uncovers evidence that UN troops are supporting Congolese government forces even as they carry out indiscriminate attacks, sometimes against civilian targets.Mission Impossible (BBC Panorama)The UN polices conflicts around the world. But is it up to policing itself? Documents leaked to a joint Panorama/BBC World Service investigation reveal why the UN's department tasked with rooting out corruption has been called a "combat zone" and found not fit for purpose.
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ
| 13
13th May
Ray Fitzwalter, executive producer of World in Action and author of The Dream that Died - the rise and fall of ITV - talks about his forthcoming book.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
| 14
14th May
May 14th marks the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. We talk to Professor Shai Feldman, one of the world's leading experts on the Middle East, who talks about the political and ideological challenges that face Israel in its 60th year.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
| 15
15th May
Are Congo’s natural resources to be found at the root of the nations problems or do they offer a key to its future development?
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
| 16
16th May
Please come and join us for a Spring Party at the Club. We will be serving food and drinks on the house from 6.30pm until 8.30pm, and we hope the party will continue until late. Come and share the experience of spring lamb and vegetables fresh from the Frontline Farm in Norfolk. The farm already provides our restaurant with game, eggs, seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs. We encourage you to bring along a guest to join in the festivities. As well as a celebration, it will also be a great opportunity for members to introduce friends or colleagues who might be interested in applying to join.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
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20th May
Among those taking part will be broadcaster John Simpson (BBC), journalist Marie Colvin (The Sunday Times), journalist Christopher Dickey (Newsweek), film director Roman Polanski (taped), journalist Olivier Todd (former BBC Paris Correspondent), literary agent Ed Victor (taped), documentary maker Jeffrey Lee (former BBC Correspondent producer) journalist Jonathan Randal (former Washington Post correspondent), Richard Mayne and film producer Jeremy Thomas (The Last Emperor - taped).
The evening will be chaired by film-maker Anthony Geffen who worked with Edward Behr on several documentary projects including the acclaimed and controversial film Hirohito: Behind The Myth.
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ
| 21
21st May
As the race for the US elections continues to attract world attention, Matt Frei, BBC Washington correspondent, explains the intricacies of the election process and gives us his views on the remaining candidates.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
| 22
22nd May
Alex de Waal, author of Darfur: a Short History of a Long War, talks about the history of Darfur, its conflicts, and what the future holds in store.
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
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25
25th May
In Prison My Whole Life follows 25-year-old William Francome’s investigation into the arrest of Mumia Abu Jamal, famed death-row prisoner and award-winning Black Panther journalist.
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ
| 26 | 27
27th May
To coincide with the landmark BBC series, Frontline Club presents a unique opportunity to preview Episode Four and hear the people behind the programme talk about the challenges of undertaking such a big project.
13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ
| 28
28th May
Frontline will pull together a panel of journalists, aid workers and country experts and try to get to the bottom of what is really going on in Burma. What is the situation in the worst affected areas and how much aid is actually getting through? And just what is the relationship between the military junta and the international community?
13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ
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Event News
2007-04-04
COMING SOON
Frontline Club is planning a 'Forgotten Conflicts' screening season for August. We're looking for new or old documentaries on the subject of the world's forgotten wars and humanitarian issues. If you can make suggestions or send in films for the selection please contact: phil.brown@frontlineclub.com
Send in entries to: Phil Brown, Frontline Club, 7 Southwick Mews, London, W2 1JG
Forthcoming Events
Tue 20 May 08, 7.30pm (arrive 7.00pm) - £5.00
Talk and Screening: Anybody Here Been Raped and Speaks English? FULLY BOOKED
Wed 21 May 08, 7.30pm - £7.00
Insight with Matt Frei: US Elections special - FULLY BOOKED
Thu 22 May 08, 7.30pm - £7.00
Insight with Alex de Waal: the Crisis in Darfur
Sun 25 May 08, 4.30pm - £5.00
Screening: In Prison My Whole Life
Tue 27 May 08, 7.30pm - £5.00
Preview Screening and Discussion: Russia – A Journey, with Jonathan Dimbleby
Wed 28 May 08, 7.30pm - £7.00
NEW: Media Talk - Inside Burma
Sun 01 Jun 08, 4.30pm - £5.00
Screening: Colombia - Promises and Bullets
Mon 02 Jun 08, 7.30pm - £7.00
In the picture with John Moore - Pakistan on the Brink
Tue 03 Jun 08, 7.30pm - £7.00
Insight with Heidi Holland: Dinner with Mugabe
Sun 08 Jun 08, 4.30pm - £5.00
Screening: Living Goddess - Nepal
Mon 09 Jun 08, 7.30pm - £5.00
Preview Screening: Taxi to the Dark Side
Sun 15 Jun 08, 4.30pm - £5.00
Exclusive Screening: Recycle
Sun 22 Jun 08, 4.30pm - £5.00
Preview Screening: This is Our Country Too
Mon 30 Jun 08, 7.30pm - £5.00
Sneak Preview Screening: The Age of Stupid
