The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Arthur Dooley
A middle class designed city with no style - Arthur Dooley pulls no punches in Birmingham.
From the collection of:
Overview
For the Liverpool born artist Arthur Dooley a 1971 visit to the city of Birmingham with its bustling ring-road and what he calls "filing cabinets in the sky" is not a time to celebrate modernism but a chance to castigate the architects and celebrate the neglected talents of the working class. The "streets should belong to the people" he contends and, as he joins the pedestrians forced into dimly lit walkways, you have to agree with him.
Arthur Dooley was best known for creating sculptures in both the Catholic and Anglican cathedrals in Liverpool. In 1972 he presented a television view of his own beloved city of Liverpool called One Pair of Eyes, which again cast him as the voice of the common people against the worst excesses of post-war city planning.
Related
Watch for free
Wheelchair Access Wheelchair Access
Magazine and Review show 1981 7 mins Location: Selly Oak
From Selly Oak to Birmingham's Head Post Office in a wheelchair - how hard could it be?
Watch for free
New Fifty Pence Piece New Fifty Pence Piece
News 1969 2 mins Location: Birmingham
Don't become a victim of the new fifty penny piece!
Watch for free
Decent Place with Hot and Cold Decent Place with Hot and Cold
Documentary 1970 27 mins Location: Birmingham
An impressively stark documentary study of Birmingham slums - past and present.
Watch for free
Pakistani Bus Driver Pakistani Bus Driver
News 1974 2 mins Location: Birmingham
Bus timetables are sacrosanct to some but to others there are more important things in life - and faith is one of them.
Watch for free
Indian Businessman Indian Businessman
News 1975 4 mins Location: Leicester
He arrived in Britain with £3 and went on to become one of the richest business men in the Midlands. How did Amrat Parmar do it?
Watch for free
Arranged Marriage Arranged Marriage
Magazine and Review show 1983 13 mins Location: Birmingham
It's not only a big day for Zubair Khan and his sixteen year old bride Saeeda. It's also brings together two families.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.