London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Polish School
Students of a Catholic Sunday School in Islington celebrate a Polish holiday in traditional costume.
From the collection of:
Overview
Part of a collection that documents a Polish community in north London, this film captures students of the Lady of Czestochowa Parochial Sunday School, Devonia Road, Islington, smiling and waving Polish flags for the camera. The significance is unclear but it may be Polish Independence Day, celebrated by many churches in Poland with a special mass. Later playground scenes take place near Islington Green.
Related
Watch for free
Good-Time Girl Good-Time Girl
Crime 1948 92 mins Location: Islington
Find out what happens when a good girl goes bad in this controversial post-war Brit noir thriller starring Jean Kent.
Watch for free
London 1971 London 1971
Amateur film 1971 15 mins Location: Islington
A gently meandering home movie tour of London, with rare shots of an early Gay Pride march.
Watch for free
Rubbish People Rubbish People
Documentary 1966 17 mins Location: Islington
A group of Islington slum tenants unite to protest against harassment and demand decent living conditions.
Watch for free
Polish Costume Dancing Polish Costume Dancing
Amateur film 1966 5 mins Silent Location: Islington
Scenes from a Polish Catholic community in North London of a Sunday service and dancing in the street.
Watch for free
Arsenal May 1971 Arsenal May 1971
Amateur film 1971 1 mins Silent Location: Islington
Islington welcomes home the 1971 double-winning Arsenal F.C. side including the team's first ever black player.
Watch for free
Library at Work Library at Work
Documentary 1922 13 mins Silent Location: Westminster
Short film celebrating several London libraries, from the grand British Museum reading room to children’s reading hours at smaller local libraries.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.