The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/promo259435902.jpg?itok=QuJMkUd5)
Near Home
A rare outing for a 1945 drama documentary on local studies education in Bishop Auckland by one of Britain's pioneering women directors.
From the collection of:
![Logo for North East Film Archive](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/NEFA.jpg?itok=jrWg9EiQ)
Overview
Directed by innovative British filmmaker Kay Mander, this is a curiosity for devotees of public information films. School children act out new ideas for post-war education and investigate hidden histories near home, exploring industries, farms and Roman ruins around Bishop Auckland, then present an exhibition for local folk. Actuality footage of Wilsons Forge (closed in 1997) serves today as an elegy for one of the lost traditional industries in North East England.
This film was made for the Ministry of Education in 1945, shortly after Conservative politician Rab Butlers 1944 Education Act, dubbed the Childrens Charter, introduced free secondary education for all. This was one of the first commissions for Basic Films, a production company co-founded by Kay Mander, a prolific contributor to documentary filmmaking in 1940s Britain. She worked for both the prestigious Shell Film Unit and Paul Rotha Productions during World War Two, and with Basic Films made the acclaimed Homes for the People (1945) for the Labour Party election campaign.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1a312e891d1c1a7adf8097029198837e.jpg?itok=YAbnnHxz)
Frida Kahlo & Tina Modotti Frida Kahlo & Tina Modotti
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1983 30 mins
Immerse yourself in the work of Frida Kahlo and Tina Modotti - icons of the Mexican Renaissance.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo244812576.jpg?itok=6Q8YoEKk)
Once We Were Four Once We Were Four
Documentary 1942 9 mins
Innocent bunnies face an onslaught of badgers, bombs and birds of prey in this black comedy masquerading as a nature film.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/6f412442c4cbba35a3d446e99f748363.jpg?itok=B8DMcR3t)
Tunde's Film Tunde's Film
Documentary drama 1974 40 mins Location: Stepney
Tired of being hassled by the police and with no job opportunities, a group of teenage East End lads plan to rob a bank.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo257683796.jpg?itok=TclH1OIa)
So This Is London So This Is London
Documentary 1933 14 mins Silent Location: Westminster
London at its best? This gorgeous lyrical portrait was made by pioneering female director Marion Grierson.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/3cda4528d1def475c50de0a19ebfdac4.jpg?itok=z3JXMGPV)
Black to Front Black to Front
Current affairs 1978 27 mins Location: Brixton
World in Action interviews the residents of Haycroft Road, Brixton as a controversial by-election stokes concerns about race and immigration.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/SpringOnTheFarm.jpg?itok=JHiJmZw_)
Spring on the Farm Spring on the Farm
Documentary 1933 8 mins
The exhilaration of spring in the country – blossom, piglets, ducklings and more delights on the farm.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/507313012b5bcfedad9a11882515724e.jpg?itok=X3yJfid1)
Mining Review 25th Year No. 9 Mining Review 25th Year No. 9
1972 10 mins Location: Mayfair
A painterly profile of County Durham's brilliant miner-artist Tom McGuinness.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.