This film is part of Free

Title of error

The Black Emperor

Paul Robeson demonstrates his vocal talents in this short extract from Song of Freedom

Drama 1949 8 mins

Overview

Paul Robeson was one of British cinema's most bankable stars of the 1930s and his 1937 feature Song of Freedom was repurposed after the war for home viewing. This short extract charts the rise of his character John Zinga to stardom as an international opera singer. It features two songs from the film, Stepping Stone and the song from the onscreen opera, Black Emperor.

Genres

Drama

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Watch for free

Ballet Black Ballet Black

Documentary 1986 85 mins

Stephen Dwoskin brings together members of the Ballet Negres dance company, founded in London in 1946.

Watch for free

Steel 'n' Skin Steel 'n' Skin

Performance 1979 36 mins Location: Liverpool

Black music and culture in the community

Watch for free

Osibisa Musical Group Osibisa Musical Group

Current affairs 1980 3 mins Location: Plymouth

Ghanaian led Afro-Caribbean band spread infectious rhythms of world music at Plymouth’s Frankfort Gate.

Watch for free

London Line No. 113 London Line No. 113

Cinemagazine 1966 14 mins Location: Sevenoaks

If your interests happen to include rainwear, concrete in Africa, science in Sevenoaks, and gbedu drum music, then this is your lucky day...

Watch for free

Divide and Rule - Never! Divide and Rule - Never!

Documentary 1978 41 mins

Young working class Londoners fight racism with the power of rock and reggae in this anarchic documentary.

Watch for free

Grove Carnival Grove Carnival

Documentary 1981 18 mins Location: Notting Hill

West London echoes to the sound of reggae and steel pans in this kaleidoscopic record of the 1980 Notting Hill Carnival.

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.

Watch for free

Khichdi Khichdi

Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins

The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.