Synopsis:
Three nights a week, 52 weeks a year in South Yorkshire, a motley crew converges on Highgate Flapping Track to bet on their favourite dogs. For many, it’s a lifelong obsession. In the days when the mines dominated this region, flapping was a way of life; now there are only eleven such tracks in the country. In the wake of his multi-award winning North Korean doc trilogy, Sheffield native Daniel Gordon turns his attention closer to home, in a brilliant exploration of the colourful world of the flapping track. “Tricky" Russ is the track proprietor and is all powerful in the unregulated world of flapping – despite his detractors being convinced he is fiddling. But financially he’s in trouble, and his son shows no interest in entering the family business. In step the track’s rough-hewn landlords, who have regretted leasing their property, and are now determined to restore its former glory. Chock full of memorable characters, thick accents and salty language, The Flapping Track is not to be missed.
Festivals
Sheffield International Documentary Festival 2007
Synopsis:
Three nights a week, 52 weeks a year in South Yorkshire, a motley crew converges on Highgate Flapping Track to bet on their favourite dogs. For many, it’s a lifelong obsession. In the days when the mines dominated this region, flapping was a way of life; now there are only eleven such tracks in the country. In the wake of his multi-award winning North Korean doc trilogy, Sheffield native Daniel Gordon turns his attention closer to home, in a brilliant exploration of the colourful world of the flapping track. “Tricky" Russ is the track proprietor and is all powerful in the unregulated world of flapping – despite his detractors being convinced he is fiddling. But financially he’s in trouble, and his son shows no interest in entering the family business. In step the track’s rough-hewn landlords, who have regretted leasing their property, and are now determined to restore its former glory. Chock full of memorable characters, thick accents and salty language, The Flapping Track is not to be missed.