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Bollywood-on-Thames: East meets West in a tale of two loves in 70s London
Comedy 1969 112 mins
This is modern romance, East-meets-West, Britain-meets-Bollywood style! Rajesh is torn between Rita, his cosmopolitan London girlfriend, and Sita, the Indian bride his mother has arranged for him. When his mother falls ill, Rajesh reluctantly agrees to marry Sita to please her. But their marriage struggles as Sita's traditional, homely ways are at odds with Rajesh's Western inclinations. If only Sita was more like Rita! (Hint: both Rita and Sita are played by the same actress, Simi Garewal.) Who wins in East versus West?
This surprisingly early British-Bollywood fusion is a real discovery from the archives, tackling the age-old conflict between Eastern traditions and Western temptations for those torn between two cultures in London. It's set in the leafy suburbs of West London, with vibrant song and dance numbers unfolding in parks reminiscent of the rolling fields of the Punjab and accompanied by the romantic drone of planes flying in and out of Heathrow. Packed with epic Bollywood twists and turns, some proto-disco dancing, culture clashes by the bucketload and a few painful party moments, Pasand Apni Apni is an energising treat. The 1983 film of the same name is entirely unrelated, though ironically, it was inspired by a British film, Happy Go Lovely! (1951).
Science Fiction 1929 68 mins
Extravagantly-mounted futuristic sci-fi, now with added sound, although still with the world's two power blocs at loggerheads.
Science Fiction 1929 75 mins Silent
A terrorist plot plays out on a backdrop of towering skyscrapers, bullet-railways and silver lamé in this vintage vision of London's future.
Science Fiction 1936 93 mins
The construction of a transatlantic tunnel linking Britain and America hits trouble in an entertaining slice of speculative fiction.
Comedy 1934 87 mins
Husbands lock up their wives when the renowned Romeo returns to Seville; but the man wooing the city’s ladies is not what he seems.
Science Fiction 1913 60 mins Location: London
Britain's first full-length science fiction feature has been restored by the BFI National Archive and given a new score by composer Matthew Herbert, commissioned by the BFI and the BBC.
War 1992 115 mins Location: Trawsfynydd
The stirring story of poet Ellis Evans-Hedd Wyn, the Welsh poet posthumously awarded the Eisteddfod chair at Birkenhead in 1917 after failing to return from 1st World War trenches.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Capital scenes thanks to Victorian filmmakers
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Location: London
Vivid images of Victorian London - but where?
1899 2 mins Silent Location: London
A sports day gives the young residents of the Foundling Hospital a chance to let off steam
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: London
Londoners turn out in their thousands to greet the returning Boer War hero after his famous defence of Ladysmith
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent Location: London
The Band of the First Life Guards approaches Westminster Bridge during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Horse-drawn traffic on one of London's busiest thoroughfares
Documentary 2019 6 mins
A short documentary about a young girl who leaves home to join a travelling Fun Park in hopes of finding a new family.
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 4 mins
Sleazy and vain Toast tries to win back an ex flame, the beautiful Egg, but the hideous Big Toast is now on the scene.
Drama 2019 4 mins
A female police officer sees more than she bargained for on her first tough day in the force.
Drama 2019 8 mins
Two old friends take a walk on a summer's afternoon and discover they have less in common than they thought.
Documentary 2020 4 mins
Three young women live in a society which has ingrained gender roles as law. They face the difficulties of being queer women in a close-knit religious society.
Drama 2019 10 mins
Vojta and Rami roam around Prague, witnessing the damage caused by mass tourism.
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