The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
East African Dance in Weymouth
Basil, an East African performer educates school children in traditional dance
From the collection of:
Overview
An East African performer, Basil, visits a local school in Weymouth to teach the children about his culture and traditions. African dance is related to personal history of ethnicity, region and language. Each dance is a way of teaching social values to the community. The dancer’s voice and a drum beat accompany the dancing and individual expression follows.
Dance in most African countries is seen as an expression of community and draws on the experiences of life. A collective rhythm encourages audience participation. Dances of Love, Rites of Passage and Coming of Age are performed and a young person is encoraged to express themselves building confidence. Modern African dance with its polyrhythms has a global appeal and marries traditional dances with contemporary moves.
Related
Watch for free
Ballet Black Ballet Black
Documentary 1986 85 mins
Stephen Dwoskin brings together members of the Ballet Negres dance company, founded in London in 1946.
Watch for free
Steel 'n' Skin Steel 'n' Skin
Performance 1979 36 mins Location: Liverpool
Black music and culture in the community
Watch for free
Osibisa Musical Group Osibisa Musical Group
News 1980 3 mins Location: Plymouth
Ghanaian led Afro-Caribbean band spread infectious rhythms of world music at Plymouth’s Frankfort Gate.
Watch for free
London Line No. 113 London Line No. 113
Cinemagazine 1966 14 mins Location: Sevenoaks
If your interests happen to include rainwear, concrete in Africa, science in Sevenoaks, and gbedu drum music, then this is your lucky day...
Watch for free
Divide and Rule - Never! Divide and Rule - Never!
Documentary 1978 41 mins
Young working class Londoners fight racism with the power of rock and reggae in this anarchic documentary.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Weymouth Weymouth
Amateur film 1956 4 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
A family holiday to the popular summer retreat on the coast of Dorset.
Watch for free
Beached Elephants Beached Elephants
News 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
Sophie, Dumbo, Sue and Francis dip their toes in the sea.
Watch for free
Footballing Tortoise Footballing Tortoise
News 1966 1 mins Location: Weymouth
A proud owner shows his spritely tortoise playing football in Weymouth, but what are the odds?
Watch for free
His Majesty Landing at Weymouth His Majesty Landing at Weymouth
Documentary 1912 3 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
A memorable day for Weymouth as King George V and the young Prince Albert attend the 1912 Fleet Review
Watch for free
Weymouth Weymouth
Promotional 1958 23 mins Location: Weymouth
Enjoy this nostalgic look at the Dorset resort of Weymouth - complete with beachtime fun, Punch & Judy, fishing and a Beauty Queen tug-of-war.
Watch for free
Fishy Tale Fishy Tale
Amateur film 1961 7 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
Join the Erskine family on a fishing trip in Weymouth Bay - where mackerel and thornback rays are caught against a backdrop of yachts and ferries
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.