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To the front line of London's early 1970s' housing crisis in this angry campaign film.
Documentary 1970 17 mins
This agit-prop film takes us to the front line of the early 1970s' housing crisis. Squatters challenges the Greater London Council for their failure to invest in housing, and offers information for activists about bailiffs and the law. Formed in the wake of May '68, radical film collective Cinema Action rejected the idea of the cinematic auteur and instead reimagined film production as a non-hierarchical creative practice centred on the class struggle.
Cinema Action founder Ann Guedes began the group by showing to workers and trade unionists in the UK a French film she had bought about the protests and disturbances in Paris in May '68. Cinema Action went on to make their own films about situations and issues affecting the British working class, including the Industrial Relations Bill of 1970 and the various miners' strikes of the 70s. The group's films in the 80s and 90s remained political but diversified in form and style. Squatters remains resonant in today's housing situation, particularly in London, where rents are rocketing ever upwards.
Travelogue 1937 12 mins Location: Finchingfield
Rural life in the Essex villages of Finchingfield and Great Bardfield - and the mixed reactions of older residents to changing times.
Amateur film 1937 11 mins Silent Location: Kensington
Shocking scenes of Kensington slums and 1930s housing developments offer a sharp contrast with today's reinvented area.
Travelogue 1944 32 mins
Widgey Raphael Newman, the short-lived, extraordinarily-named director of this period piece, has assembled attractive images of Wales but beware the commentary!
Drama 1963 13 mins Location: Pontrhydfendigaid
An isolated life can mean that home is nothing more than an “airy tomb”, as imagined by poet and rural parish priest R S Thomas.
Documentary 1977 1 mins Silent
Not-so-special special effects add the magic touch to this kitsch British Rail commercial.
1917 3 mins Silent
The might of the British Empire is mobilised for war during 1914 and 1915.
Amateur film 1957 46 mins Location: Ilford
Ilford's past, present and a 'Kodachromed' future are all here in this epic amateur portrait of the town, made in the mid-50s.
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Extraordinary shorts and exhausted runners feature in this short newsreel showing highlights of a 40-mile relay race round Ilford.
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Ilford's Fairlop Plain provides the battlefield for ploughing matches between local hands and Essex outsiders.
Amateur film 1944 15 mins Silent Location: Cobham
You'd never know there was a war on in sleepy Cobham until you see the soldiers - otherwise life goes on at a slow pace in this beautifully bucolic corner of Kent.
Amateur film 1942 6 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Short amateur film showing the men of the Auxiliary Fire Service in Ilford in training in Ilford during the Second World War.
Home movie 1965 14 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Beatles puppets, West End windows and an Ilford family Christmas all feature in this eclectic home move from Redbridge in 1965.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Capital scenes thanks to Victorian filmmakers
Non-Fiction 1897 0 mins Silent
Members of Queen Victoria's extended family being natural for the cameras
1897 0 mins
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent
Victorian pooches at play
1900 1 mins Silent
A brisk drill on a cold winter's day
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