Young, Angry And White - Preview

First Cut, Channel 4's showcase for original documentaries by up-and-coming film makers, continues in February with new director Peter Beard's Young, Angry And White - an attempt to understand what makes a young person think of wanting to join the British National Party.

In July 2009, almost a million voters chose the BNP in the EU elections. But it's not just traditional BNP voters swelling the ranks, with a recent survey finding one in 20 young people would vote BNP. Against this backdrop, Peter Beard follows 19-year-old Kieren, who is considering joining the party.

Kieren is looking for a home in the BNP but is unsure that it represents his views. Having been a fervent nationalist from the age of 15, he is concerned that the BNP is losing its radical edge and selling out its racial policies. His choice is made more difficult by the fact he comes from a moderate family who find many of his far-right views shocking. There is concern that the opinions and choices he is making at a young age could have serious consequences for his future.

Peter also attempts to get to the person beneath the views, uncovering what in Kieren's past could have led an articulate, seemingly polite young man to hold such extreme beliefs, in contrast to his upbringing and college friends. Kieren himself is aware of the possible consequences of his political views and how they put him at odds with many of those around him. But will he ever be able to retreat from the hard-line position he has chosen for himself?

This fascinating documentary offers an insight into a young person's attraction to a party whose policies and image continue to cause extreme controversy throughout the country.