This film is part of Free
This film is not rated
- This collection contains nudity which may be sexualised. Confirm you are over 15
Action in Slow Motion
A naked woman cavorts innocently at the seaside in this 1940s nudist film, strictly for artists and students only
1943 3 mins Silent Not rated
Overview
Probably shot in the 1940s, this adults-only short film - featuring full-frontal female nudity, absolutely forbidden in mainstream British cinema at the time - was produced, as the opening disclaimer makes clear, "expressly for assistance to artists and students". Anybody discovered supplying it for any other purpose rendered themselves "liable to any penalties imposed by the Authorities".
Entrusted to the BFI National Archive decades ago, this fascinating but enigmatic filmic artefact - accidentally revealing so much about the attitudes of a distant era - unfortunately bears no production credits, so nothing is known about who made it.
Subjects
Related
Most Popular Free 2020
A-tish-oo A-tish-oo
Public Information Filler 1941 6 mins
The face mask comes of age in this intriguing wartime guide to germ prevention.
Grove Carnival Grove Carnival
Documentary 1981 18 mins Location: Notting Hill
West London echoes to the sound of reggae and steel pans in this kaleidoscopic record of the 1980 Notting Hill Carnival.
Caribbean Restaurant Caribbean Restaurant
Magazine and Review show 1986 7 mins Location: West Bromwich
Bringing the tastes of Montego Bay to a wintry West Bromwich.
Quarantine Quarantine
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 13 mins
A post-Brexit pagan dance fantasy about a troupe of Morris-dancing badgers forced to confront the animals quarantined in a facility built above their burrow.
In One End In One End
Documentary 1977 28 mins Location: Southwold
Real ale and folk music in the pub – performed by Fairport Convention – are celebrated in this portrait of Southwold on the Suffolk coast and the work of the Adnams brewery.
These Are the Hands These Are the Hands
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
New
Khwaaish Khwaaish
Drama 2018 7 mins
Khwaaish or 'Desire' is an Indian short film that glimpses into the life of one man’s longing to find a same-sex companion, in a city that refuses to accept LGBTQIA+ people.
Chariot Riders Chariot Riders
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2015 5 mins
Beautifully animated short film about a boy's feelings of love for another boy – his best friend.
Sisak Sisak
Romance 2017 15 mins
A first-of-its-kind silent LGBTQ short film set in India, Sisak makes waves before the visuals of this film hit the shore.
Little Elephant Little Elephant
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2015 5 mins
A British Indian woman and her father discuss their opposing views on family and sexuality in this beautifully moving, visually striking 2D animated short film.
Wajood Wajood
Romance 2017 12 mins
A young trans woman embarks on a poignant quest for love after falling for a rickshaw driver.
U For Usha U For Usha
Drama 2019 22 mins
U Ushacha is a subtle portrayal of sexual awakening, and how naïve attraction can empower a woman to take control of her life.