This press release has been written by the team behind Derek vs Derek and republished by FCN.
As part of a campaign around the film the team behind Derek vs Derek are hoping to connect people instead of divide when it comes to farming and nature recovery. Behind the scenes they’re pushing to get the film to farmers this summer ahead of its general release at cinemas in the Autumn.
Alongside farmer screenings they’ll also be fundraising for FCN to support their vital work across the UK.
Award-winning director James Dawson’s new documentary Derek vs Derek is set in the rolling hills of Devon, telling the story of two neighbouring farmers who share a name but take radically different approaches to land use. Through humour and occasional tension, the film shines a light on the vital debate surrounding the future of rural Britain, encouraging conversation around how
productive farming and nature restoration might work alongside each other.
Award-winning director James Dawson’s new documentary Derek vs Derek is set in the rolling hills of Devon, telling the story of two neighbouring farmers who share a name but take radically different approaches to land use. Through humour and occasional tension, the film shines a light on the vital debate surrounding the future of rural Britain, encouraging conversation around how productive farming and nature restoration might work alongside each other.
Derek vs Derek also explores the complexities of modern farming, highlighting the pressures facing farmers, from climate change to economic uncertainty.
The film’s central protagonist is Derek Banbury, a self-proclaimed intensive dairy farmer who has spent more than five decades building a productive, family-run farm business. For Banbury, farming is about efficiency, producing food and working the land with one clear goal: feeding the nation.
Over the hedge is Derek Gow, a former sheep farmer now focused on a large-scale nature restoration project. Known for reintroducing native species, including beavers, Gow is creating habitats designed to support wildlife recovery. His decision to step away from traditional farming has caused concern among neighbouring farmers, particularly after previously describing
farming as “a miserable business”.
The relationship between the two men sits at the heart of the film. Their exchanges, sometimes heated and often humorous, reflect a genuine clash of views, alongside a shared connection to the land. As wildlife begins to return and the landscape changes, both men are forced to respond to the new reality.
An ambitious nationwide screening campaign aims to take these conversations directly into farming communities to create space for open discussion and shared understanding.
The Derek vs Derek team would like to hear from local farming groups and organisations interested in hosting screenings. To register your interest and to join the newsletter please visit derekvsderek.com/screenings.
Derek vs Derek are proud to be working with FCN and will be fundraising at farmer screenings across the UK.