Bank of Dave

Yet Bank of Dave also offers an activist theology of liberation. Disgusted by the behaviour of banks during the Global Financial Crisis, Dave (played by Rory Kinnear) hires a London lawyer, Hugh (played by Joel Fry). Over the years of working in his beloved Burnley community, Dave has offered a helping financial hand to those looking for opportunities. He lends money to buskers, bakers and brewers. Every single loan is repaid.

Directed by Chris Foggin, the movie offers a ‘true(ish)’ account of British businessman Dave Fishwick. Touring New Zealand recently, the real-life Dave Fenwick spoke of wanting to open a community bank run by the community and owned by the community.

Hence amid the live music and feel-good encore, Bank of Dave also offers a contemporary take on Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. As Dave set the riches of his local community alongside the disinterest of the financial community during the Global Financial Crisis, the humble are lifted up. The proud are scattered as Dave takes on British banking royalty, all while the London lawyer falls for Dave’s daughter, (Phoebe Dynevor as Alexandra) who herself is fighting to open a free health clinic.

Dave's bank becomes the first new bank in England in over 150 years. Hence Bank of Dave is the story of innovation. Innovation is often linked with money; however Dave has a different vision. He sees wealth in job creation and community wellbeing.

The Christian faith offers rich resources for social innovators. Over centuries, Christians have built health clinics, started schools and planted universities, innovating for social good. John Wesley preached in Dave’s beloved Burnley in 1784. In A History of Non-Conformist Churches in Burnley, historian Stephen Child describes how Burnley Wesleyans were instruments of social reform, providing schools, adult education and self-improvement.

What happens overseas can also happen in Aotearoa. In recent years I partnered with Professor Christine Woods from the University of Auckland Business School. Together we offered innovation weekends to Christians in community ministries. The Christian practices of serving, gardening, building, resourcing, risking and parenting that cluster around the apostle Paul guide and animate social innovation.

Christian approaches to the sharing of resources appear during a funeral scene in Bank of Dave. The Vicar shares the well-worn poem, Footprints.

“When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

Following the funeral, Dave realises he lacks the funds to begin the bank. With his resources at an end, Dave turns to the Burnley community. Dave might be a leading actor but Burnley's community quickly became the movie’s main character. Their footprints will carry Dave’s bank to reality. The Bank of Dave offers a story of social innovation, a contemporary reality made possible by the liberating love of Christ.

Rev Dr Steve Taylor is the author of "First Expressions" (2019) and writes widely in theology and popular culture, including regularly at www.emergentkiwi.org.nz.