This film is part of Free
Our Business Is Fun
Meet Futuristic Fred, the celebrated fairground artist from Streatham.
Overview
A filmic encounter with Futuristic Fred, Britain's most revered fairground artist. Captured at work decorating a ride in his studio in Streatham, London, Fred Fowle (1914-1983) pays tribute to the cinema posters, adverts and graphic novels that inspired his designs. His signature vibrant, three-dimensional style has been widely celebrated and chimes with the current resurgence of traditional steam-powered fairground rides.
Director Michael Whyte has worked prolifically in documentary and drama since the 1970s, making films which span an array of social issues. Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear (1974), also available on BFI Player, tackles domestic violence, while Catherine (1985) is a drama about the tragic story of a girl who died from anorexia. More recently, No Greater Love (2010) explored the quiet lives of Carmelite nuns in Notting Hill.
Related
Jumping over Tennis Net Jumping over Tennis Net
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
The grown-ups of the Passmore clan let out their inner children as they leap over a tennis net in this early home movie
Streatham Children's Pageant Streatham Children's Pageant
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
Time for Britannia to get off the bus - the Queen is coming to Streatham
Flying a Kite Flying a Kite
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
In the year the Wright Brothers made their first flight, an Edwardian family film themselves taking to the skies… sort of.
Silver Blades Ice Skating Silver Blades Ice Skating
Promotional 1963 7 mins Location: Streatham
Streatham goes dancing on ice at the coolest place in town.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Hen Do Hen Do
Comedy 2023 2 mins
En-route to her hen weekend, bride-to-be Faye kills the vibe with a bombshell confession.
Daytimers Daytimers
Documentary 2023 2 mins
An insight into Daytimers, the South Asian DJ collective that are breaking new ground in Britain.