This film is part of Free
Housing Discrimination
Memorable attack by the southern Irish government on sectarian Northern housing policies in Fintona, Co. Tyrone.
Overview
Fintona, County Tyrone, is centre-frame of this memorable attack by the southern Irish government on sectarian Northern housing policies. This film is not merely a significant record of the history of pre-troubles Northern Ireland: it was part of it. The protests it received from the Stormont government are cited in the long voiceover prologue added to this re-released version.
The film uses a straightforward, starkly effective technique of commentary and visuals (partly filmed with a hidden camera) drawing pointed contrasts between back street conditions facing large nationalist (i.e. Catholic) families and the swish new council homes allocated to 'pro-British' (i.e. Protestant) residents, including "childless couples and spinsters". The voiceover is peppered with nationalist rhetoric, but makes a strong case on local authority discrimination. Housing injustices were later a major driver of the NI civil rights movement, while unionist fears of the South's claim to Ulster were also a factor in Northern Ireland's Troubles.
Related
Ulster Ulster
Campaigning film 1972 35 mins Silent Location: Derry / Londonderry
Hard-hitting guerrilla filmmaking in Northern Ireland.
Land of Ulster Land of Ulster
Government sponsored film 1950 29 mins Location: Belfast
Even in Belfast, people are only a generation away from the soil. Explore the changing fortunes of Ulster and its farmers in this charming government film.
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.
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.
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.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.