Story: Rohan Francis | Photo:YCA and Cathy Soreny
A film documenting the memories of retired Yemeni steelworkers from Burngreave was premièred at the Vestry Hall in October. The event highlighted the huge sacrifice these men made to improve the lives of their families both here and back in Yemen.
The documentary, shot entirely in Burngreave, focuses on a group of elders who were originally invited to the city to help with the post-war skills shortage. In a series of interviews, the men describe leaving their families behind and starting a new life in a completely different part of the world. Few of these men saw the kind of personal wealth promised to them in return for the long shifts and harsh working conditions of the industry. Many waited years before they could afford to travel and be reunited with their loved ones.
The film was the result of an 18 month project designed to tackle health and well-being issues within the older population and involved members of the Yemeni Community Association (YCA), the NHS, Sheffield University and filmakers Optical Jukebox. The project included the recounting of individual life stories, which the participants then asked to be made into a film.
Many people who attended the film's screening were moved to hear about the contribution these men made to their families and to the Sheffield steel industry.
‘Sheffield Steel – Yemeni Dreams’ is available to view online at: http://vimeo.com/75967944
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