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Stylishly realised portrait of Chinese priest Peter Kao, who offers a Christian welcome to sailors from his homeland.
Documentary 1959 10 mins
Where is the heart of China? Not Beijing or Hong Kong, but the Flying Angel, London E16 - at least so says young Chinese priest Peter Kao. This elegant, atmospheric short documentary, made to promote the work of the Missions to Seamen, follows Kao as he provides pastoral care to the community of Chinese seamen in London's docklands. Made with a keen eye for composition and detail, the film opens a fascinating window on a close-knit community flung far from its roots.
The Missions to Seamen was founded in 1856 by the Reverend John Ashley and has been known since 2000 as the Mission to Seafarers. Chinese seamen first came to London in the 17th century, aboard East India Company trading ships. By the 19th century, small Chinese communities could be found near the river around Shadwell, Limehouse and Poplar.
Government sponsored film 1944 10 mins Location: London
A documentary about the benefits and influences of Chinese immigration on Britain’s home front.
Drama 1995 26 mins Location: Kilburn
Beautiful, bittersweet tale of love, longing and Elvis. Xiao Mei leaves China for marriage in Britain. But her true desire is to find her family.
Magazine and Review show 1982 9 mins
Pioneering Chinese feminist and revolutionary Qiu Jin is remembered through mime and dance by the British performer Jacqui Chan.
Non-Fiction 1967 2 mins Location: Birmingham
Will a dispute between China and Britain over Hong Kong harm sales in Birmingham's busy Chinese restaurants?
Amateur film 1930 20 mins Silent
Extra scenes from the Eng family's home movies, including trips to Germany and China
Amateur film 1930 14 mins Silent Location: Wembley
Enjoy fun in the garden, a picnic and a trip to the beach with the Eng brothers in this amateur film
Non-Fiction 1936 2 mins Silent Location: Victoria Park
Defiance is in the air in this evocative newsreel footage of anti-fascist solidarity rallies, after the Battle of Cable Street
Documentary 1938 11 mins Silent Location: Limehouse
Short film looking at life up and down the Grand Union Canal, including several scenes shot in London canals and docks.
Comedy 1991 41 mins Location: Limehouse
Deliciously dark psychodrama about a Docklands bus driver who turns his family home into a second Noah's ark.
Travelogue 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Tower Br
Follow the Thames from Westminster to Limehouse, Covent Garden to Tower Bridge.
Action and Adventure 1928 30 mins Silent Location: Limehouse
An evil criminal doctor entraps and tortures a greedy trader in this only surviving episode of silent adventure serial Dr Sin Fang.
Interest film 1924 10 mins Location: Soho
An extraordinary tour of Soho's French cafés, Clerkenwell's Little Italy and the lesser-trodden streets of Limehouse in the 1920s.
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1933 2 mins
Hand-drawn sound experiment by Bauhaus professor László Moholy-Nagy.
Advert 1974 1 mins Location: Shaftesbury
A classic slice of British advertising history, though that hill's not as Northern as it looks...
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Rotherham
Edwardian workers react to the camera at one of Rotherham's major employers.
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Great Moor St, Bolton
Eager youngsters burst out of the gates of a Victorian cotton mill.
Sport 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
It's the first weekend of July 1901, and high society are on the Thames
Advert 1898 1 mins Silent Location: St Pancras
An unusual farewell in this charming early film
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