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Woman with a Movie Camera
Great films incite, others vex, a few elate. From pre-war to the present day, these remarkable works by international women directors do all that and more.
The place of female filmmakers in cinema history demands correction, and the future looks bright. Keep up with this dedicated collection.
The London StoryThe London Story
Comedy198616 mins Location: Waterloo Sta
Sally Potter's lively dance film about spies and government intrigue.
White Men Are Cracking UpWhite Men Are Cracking Up
Drama199420 mins
The fatal fascination with the myth of the black feminine mystique is uncovered in Ngozi Onwurah's short
Cedar Wood & SilkCedar Wood & Silk
199514 mins
Insightful exploration of the relationship between a Jamaican mother and her British-born daughter.
Around the Village GreenAround the Village Green
Travelogue193712 mins Location: Finchingfield
Rural life in the Essex villages of Finchingfield and Great Bardfield - and the mixed reactions of older residents to changing times.
So This Is LondonSo This Is London
Documentary193314 minsSilent Location: Westminster
London at its best? This gorgeous lyrical portrait was made by pioneering female director Marion Grierson.
Tunde's FilmTunde's Film
Documentary drama197440 mins Location: Stepney
Tired of being hassled by the police and with no job opportunities, a group of teenage East End lads plan to rob a bank.
Black to FrontBlack to Front
Current affairs197827 mins Location: Brixton
World in Action interviews the residents of Haycroft Road, Brixton as a controversial by-election stokes concerns about race and immigration.
Flight of the SwanFlight of the Swan
Drama199212 mins
A young black ballerina rejects prejudice and finds her African spirit in Swan Lake.
Today We LiveToday We Live
Documentary193724 mins Location: South Cerney
A key social issues film documentary from the British Documentary Movement, this two-part film follows the establishment of social enterprises in England and Wales.
Dover, Spring 1947Dover, Spring 1947
Documentary194711 mins Location: Dover
Dover gets a makeover in this offbeat and pointed public information film.
HedgingHedging
Documentary19429 mins Location: Moulton
Is your hedge thin and straggly? Don't worry, help is at hand
Fair RentFair Rent
Documentary194711 mins Location: Aberdeen
Power cuts, housing shortages and exorbitant rents – Aberdeen man Norrie Williamson goes head to head with his greedy landlady
Frida Kahlo & Tina ModottiFrida Kahlo & Tina Modotti
Animation & Artists Moving Image198330 mins
Immerse yourself in the work of Frida Kahlo and Tina Modotti - icons of the Mexican Renaissance.
An Exchange for Fire: Sacrifice (Film London Jarman Award 2012)An Exchange for Fire: Sacrifice (Film London Jarman Award 2012)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20123 mins
Anja Kirschner and David Panos investigate the financial crisis from its European epicentre - Greece.
The Necromancers (Film London Jarman Award 2010)The Necromancers (Film London Jarman Award 2010)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20103 mins
Theatre director Steve Pearl talks about his chance meetings with a female ventriloquist.
An Exchange for Fire: Debt (Film London Jarman Award 2012)An Exchange for Fire: Debt (Film London Jarman Award 2012)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20133 mins
The concluding episode in Anja Kirschner and David Panos' series of films on the Greek financial crisis.
An Exchange for Fire: Non-Citizens (Film London Jarman Award 2012)An Exchange for Fire: Non-Citizens (Film London Jarman Award 2012)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20123 mins
The global financial crisis viewed through the prism of modern Greece.
The Paramnesiac (Film London Jarman Award 2010)The Paramnesiac (Film London Jarman Award 2010)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20104 mins
The instability of memory comes to the fore when artist Lindsay Seers' step-sister Christine is involved in a moped accident which severely damages her memory.
Serios/Seers (Film London Jarman Award 2010)Serios/Seers (Film London Jarman Award 2010)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20103 mins
Writer M. Anthony Penwill, an occult photography expert, recalls how his meeting with Ted Serios led him to encounter the artist Lindsay Seers.
Carlyle's Hands 1 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)Carlyle's Hands 1 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20113 mins
Eitienne, a neuroscientist who is working around ideas of self awareness, is haunted by his patient, who he calls 'Marathon Man' a man who cannot move his own body unless he sees it.
Carlyle's Hands 2 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)Carlyle's Hands 2 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20113 mins
In the second in the series of Emily Wardill films, Eitienne the neuroscientist meets Georgia, a woman with whom he is able to connect and they fall in love.
Carlyle's Hands 3 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)Carlyle's Hands 3 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20113 mins
Eitienne's dates with different women explore proprioception through a contemporary situation.
Carlyle's Hands 5 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)Carlyle's Hands 5 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20113 mins
An overworked neuroscientist is encouraged to begin online dating.
Carlyle's Hands 4 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)Carlyle's Hands 4 (Film London Jarman Award 2011)
Animation & Artists Moving Image20113 mins
Eitienne the neuroscientist delivers a lecture to students that explores ideas of self-awareness.
Never Go with StrangersNever Go with Strangers
Documentary197118 mins
Is this the scariest public information film ever? This hard-hitting warning against 'stranger danger' was considered too distressing to be broadcast on television.
Near HomeNear Home
Government sponsored film194924 mins Location: Bishop Auckland
A rare outing for a 1945 drama documentary on local studies education in Bishop Auckland by one of Britain's pioneering women directors.
EdinburghEdinburgh
Documentary193410 minsSilent Location: Edinburgh
Bonnie Edinburgh - a picturesque promotional film to attract tourists to the Scottish capital
Lady LazarusLady Lazarus
Animation & Artists Moving Image199124 mins
A cinematographic response to Sylvia Plath’s Lady Lazarus with Plath’s own readings of her poetry
The Body BeautifulThe Body Beautiful
Animation & Artists Moving Image199024 mins
Autobiographical account of a mother-daughter relationship, exploring beauty standards and female sexuality.
Two Legs...Three Widows...And a near MissTwo Legs...Three Widows...And a near Miss
Documentary197720 mins
Vivid and alarming safety film shot at Teversal, Thoresby and Welbeck Collieries in Nottinghamshire.
Ebb-tideEbb-tide
Documentary19369 mins Location: Millport
Go with the flow: the marine life of Millport, Ayrshire, ingeniously filmed.
Fatima's LetterFatima's Letter
Animation & Artists Moving Image199220 mins
A woman remembers her past while travelling on the London Underground
A Family Called AbrewA Family Called Abrew
Biopic199240 mins
Meet the Abrews, a unique showbiz family whose imprint on British culture began in Scotland in the 19th century
Bri-nylon and bri-lon at the Royal Albert HallBri-nylon and bri-lon at the Royal Albert Hall
Promotional19617 mins Location: Royal Albert Hall
A parade of colourful fashions wearing their synthetic brand with pride
Home Away from HomeHome Away from Home
199311 mins
A powerfully bittersweet image of the loneliness and sacrifice in migration stories, centred on a Nigerian-British family
Somersetshire Dairy FarmingSomersetshire Dairy Farming
193712 mins Location: Bleadon
Milky movie: close-up on Somerset's changing milk and cheese industry
Plan to Work OnPlan to Work On
Documentary194833 mins Location: Dunfermline
Kay Mander's film about the planning for Dunfermline’s post-war reconstruction is a fascinating record of the idealism of mid-20th-century town planning.
Quiet MorningQuiet Morning
School programme and Educational film195511 mins Location: Finchley
Everyday family life in suburban North London - as seen by folk learning English in the 1950s.
The Christmas VisitorThe Christmas Visitor
Animation & Artists Moving Image19587 mins
The Night Before Christmas meets Toy Story in this charming British cartoon from 1958.
Cycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and SonCycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and Son
Advert19591 mins
"Dad... I want a bike!” Fun animated campaign aimed at 50s parents and their over-eager offspring.
Carnival in the Clothes CupboardCarnival in the Clothes Cupboard
Advert19416 mins
A cartoon fantasy brings fabric patterns to life in a literal soap opera - yet even here the reality of Home Front life creeps in
Charley's Black MagicCharley's Black Magic
Animation & Artists Moving Image19499 mins
Cartoon propaganda short sweetens the pill of post-war coal prices by promising jam tomorrow
Cold ComfortCold Comfort
Animation & Artists Moving Image19441 mins
A dancing radio stops partying to transmit an announcement on fuel conservation in this WWII cartoon short
Compost HeapCompost Heap
Animation & Artists Moving Image19422 mins
A talking cabbage plant will win you over in this Second World War cartoon trailer, which has a surprising charm.
4 and 20 Fit Girls4 and 20 Fit Girls
194011 minsSilent
Flock to your local keep fit class - there's a war on and Britain needs its citizens in tip-top shape.
Nursery IslandNursery Island
Documentary193618 mins Location: Farne Islands
The birdlife of Northumberland's Farne Islands comes under the spotlight in this pioneering documentary from the Secrets of Life nature series.
Wisdom of the WildWisdom of the Wild
Documentary194012 mins
Fun mixture of natural history and wartime public information.
London PigeonLondon Pigeon
Documentary19409 mins Location: Westminster
Urban nature explored in this wonderful short film looking at the lives, habits and habitats of London’s pigeon population.
Market TownMarket Town
Travelogue194210 mins Location: Newark-on-Trent
Rise and shine! Newark market calls with a seductive array of produce.
Mrs. T. And Her Cabbage PatchMrs. T. And Her Cabbage Patch
Public Information Filler194112 mins
Poetic tribute to Mrs Turner's vegetable growing prowess, plus the delights of "wartime steaks"
Civilian FrontCivilian Front
War194010 mins
It's all action on the home front with civilians on high alert to support the war effort.
Double ThreadDouble Thread
Documentary194333 mins Location: Guildford
The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds (1940s-style) at a nursery in Guildford.
The Way We LiveThe Way We Live
War194664 mins Location: Plymouth
This stylish film shows the cramped life of one family in post-war Plymouth, and expands on the contentious plans for the city's rebuilding.
Out of ChaosOut of Chaos
Documentary194427 mins Location: Trafalgar Square
"Why in the height of a world war, should there be this terrific interest in painting?"
Once We Were FourOnce We Were Four
Documentary19429 mins
Innocent bunnies face an onslaught of badgers, bombs and birds of prey in this black comedy masquerading as a nature film.
Boy and the CatBoy and the Cat
Amateur film197610 mins Location: South Shields
A boy and his cat make mischief in the snow at South Shields in this captivating hand-drawn childrens animation created by Sheila Graber.
Toys Will Be ToysToys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image19885 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
Christmas Around the WorldChristmas Around the World
Animation & Artists Moving Image19785 mins Location: South Shields
Chomping alligators, a boomerang throwing kangaroo, a turkey in Turkey, and an angry lion, all mollified by a world touring, bumbling Santa.
The Twelve Days of ChristmasThe Twelve Days of Christmas
Animation & Artists Moving Image19764 mins Location: South Shields
A classic Christmas carol brought joyously to life in this engaging and colourful Sheila Graber animation, with help from her school class.
Larn Yersel' GeordieLarn Yersel' Geordie
Animation & Artists Moving Image198011 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Learn how to speak Geordie with a riotous animation of Scott Dobsons popular vernacular lessons.
My River TyneMy River Tyne
Animation & Artists Moving Image19867 mins Location: South Shields
An unusual mix of pastel, photos, film and line drawings conjures a story of the River Tyne, from its source at the Scottish border to its mouth at South Shields.
Howway the LassesHowway the Lasses
Animation & Artists Moving Image19771 mins Location: Northumberland
This jaunty hand-drawn animation charts the history of womens revolutionary road to freedom in the North East - from Stone Age sister to suffragette of the twentieth century.
Code Name: Westward Ho!Code Name: Westward Ho!
Documentary194911 mins
"They’re not so very different from our own people, are they?" A sensitive depiction of European workers in the UK.
Critical HarvestCritical Harvest
Government sponsored film19469 mins
Appeal for energetic city workers to get out to farms in their spare time to help out with the harvest of 1946.
Deep DigDeep Dig
Documentary195720 mins
Epic undertaking at Bevercotes Colliery, digging 3000 feet to reach untapped coal seams in Nottinghamshire.
How to FileHow to File
Industry sponsored film19418 mins
Listen up, apprentices! Learn how to smooth and shape metal – an important wartime skill.
The Tough 'unThe Tough 'un
193810 mins
Startlingly beautiful time-lapse photography of the gardener’s nemesis – the dandelion – and finally, a solution?
Southern SeasideSouthern Seaside
Travelogue193515 minsSilent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Stooking and StackingStooking and Stacking
Documentary194312 mins
Are your stooking and stacking skills poor? Watch and learn how best to stack your stooks.
Spring on the FarmSpring on the Farm
Documentary19338 mins
The exhilaration of spring in the country – blossom, piglets, ducklings and more delights on the farm.
Victory WeddingVictory Wedding
Public Information Filler194418 mins
Much loved actress Jessie Matthews directs this action-packed wartime short starring John Mills and Dulcie Gray.
What's for DinnerWhat's for Dinner
Documentary19409 mins
Could the perennial question of what to cook for dinner have been solved forever?
More women's filmmaking in our collection The Camera Is Ours: Britain's Women Documentary Makers.
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