This film is part of Free
London Me Bharat
Stylishly-shot document of multicultural 1970s London among Southall's Asian community.
Overview
Stylishly-shot in black and white, London Me Bharat (India in London) - the first Hindi-language film made in Britain - presents a distinctive and sometimes surprising view of 70s London. After a striking opening in which a traditional Indian music soundtrack renders familiar landmarks unfamiliar, the film abandons tourist London to explore Southall, home to one of Britain's largest Indian communities. It's an insightful take on an increasingly multicultural city - at a time when, the commentary tells us, the capital's Indian population numbered some 150,000, with another 300,000 elsewhere in the UK. *To enable subtitles for this film, once playing select CC in the video playback bar (at the bottom of the screen) and select Closed Captions = On.*
London Me Bharat was the debut film of director, producer and actor Vinod Pande, whose Indian films include Star (1982), Ek Naya Rishta (1988) and Red Swastik (2007). Pande spent some 15 years in London from the late 1960s, working at the Department of Inland Revenue and the BBC World Service before completing his London-set first feature, Ek Baar Phir (Once Again, 1979).
Related
The Sheep Thief The Sheep Thief
Road movie 1997 25 mins
An adolescent criminal finds redemption when he meets and helps a young mother and her family.
Skin Deep Skin Deep
Drama 2001 15 mins Location: London
A young Pakistani man tries to pass as white and hang out with a group of racist skinheads
Shakti Shakti
Drama 1992 14 mins
An Asian woman engages her inner goddess to create a stunning oasis in a grey tower block.
Ugandan Asians at Houndstone Camp Ugandan Asians at Houndstone Camp
Current affairs 1972 7 mins Location: Yeovil
Ugandan Asian refugees face up to a sudden wintery future.
No Virginity, No Nationality No Virginity, No Nationality
Drama-documentary 1981 15 mins
Satirical docu-drama based on the shocking fact that virginity tests were carried out by the home office on Asian girls arriving from India and Pakistan between 1971-1979.
Latifah and Himli's Nomadic Uncle Latifah and Himli's Nomadic Uncle
Drama 1992 15 mins Location: Westminster
Alnoor Dewshi's clever, charming and illuminating film about two cousins who discuss ideas of culture and history while wandering through London.
London: Late Emperor of Japan London: Late Emperor of Japan
Non-Fiction 1912 0 mins Silent Location: London
Journalists congregate outside the Japanese embassy in London following the announcement of the death of the Emperor Meiji.
Two Dosas Two Dosas
Comedy 2014 16 mins Location: London
Geeky Pavan takes his 'English Rose' on a date to the most authentic Indian restaurant in the city. To his horror she goes off-menu, in Hindi...
Pall Mall and Hyde Park Corner Pall Mall and Hyde Park Corner
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Capital scenes thanks to Victorian filmmakers
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent Location: London
The Band of the First Life Guards approaches Westminster Bridge during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Lord Roberts' Arrival in London Lord Roberts' Arrival in London
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Location: London
A conquering Boer War hero enjoys a rapturous homecoming parade
Foundling Hospital Sports Day Foundling Hospital Sports Day
1899 2 mins Silent Location: London
A sports day gives the young residents of the Foundling Hospital a chance to let off steam
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.