London's Contrasts

Swans, boats and bridges are celebrated by lyrical commentary and fine images in this delightful tour of the Thames from “trivial” beginnings to torrential end.

A mermaid, a fat man in a barrel and water-bound jockeys all appear in this brilliant short showing Londoners taking part in the Molesey Regatta.

A ceremonial swan census takes place on the river Thames.

A nostalgic pre-war voyage down the mighty Thames, shot by Technicolor maestro Jack Cardiff.

Don your straw boater and join Victorians at play as you potter down the river at Henley-on-Thames

A rare glimpse of 1930s London in colour: the Thames has never looked lovelier.

Walking down memory lane on a whistle-stop tour of central London, as seen through the eyes of a local filmmaker

Easter Parade in Hyde Park, April 1958.

London, 1959: the Hilton Hotel rises from the ashes, surrounded by derelict houses and bomb damaged streets

Thousands of children honour Queen Victoria's birthday with an Empire Day parade in Hyde Park

Stroll through Hyde Park in your winter coat, but with the daffodils beginning to bloom, spring is nearly here!

Three cheers for women's right to vote! Thousands of 'peaceful, law-abiding Suffragists' - and their hat-waving supporters - converge on Hyde Park.

Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.

George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.

The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.

The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces. 

Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.

Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.