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South Asian Britain on Film

Discover a rich history reaching back over a century as we celebrate South Asian communities and culture across Britain.

From local news to feature film, through home movies and TV documentaries, this collection showcases South Asian Britons in front of and behind the camera. The contribution of colonial troops is illuminated through the earliest newsreels, while hardhitting current affairs programmes highlight the struggles faced in the 1960s, 1970s and beyond. Public information films produced for South Asian audiences feature alongside Hindi-language films made in Britain and interviews with prominent Asian-British figures. A bold wave of British Asian filmmaking in the 1990s is represented through early works by the likes of Gurinder Chadha and Asif Kapadia.

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The Bradford Godfather The Bradford Godfather

1976 49 mins Location: Bradford

Meet Mohamed Fazal Hussain, elder statesman and all-round Mr Fixit of Bradford's Muslim community, and a film mogul in the making...

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Sikh Matron Sikh Matron

Magazine and Review show 1985 8 mins Location: Kinver

From the temple to the hospital Kartar Singh is a leading practitioner of Sikhism.

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The Referee The Referee

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1976 4 mins

Wrestling as a metaphor for race relations in this short aimed at Britain's South-Asian community

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Asian Pub Landlord Asian Pub Landlord

News 1968 2 mins Location: Newbridge

Mr Dhanjal from Wolverhampton: custodian of one of the most vital positions in any community.

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Oriental Atmosphere Oriental Atmosphere

Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Woking

Britain's oldest mosque welcomes a vast crowd of worshippers, visitors, curious onlookers and the odd newsreel camera!

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Gandhi in England British Screen News No. 335 Gandhi in England British Screen News No. 335

Non-Fiction 1931 2 mins Silent

Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in England for the second India Round Table Conference at St James's Palace

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Shakti Shakti

Drama 1992 14 mins

An Asian woman engages her inner goddess to create a stunning oasis in a grey tower block.

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A Safe Place to Be A Safe Place to Be

Documentary 1980 32 mins Location: Spitalfields

Racism in Spitalfields reaches crisis point in the 70s as the National Front attack the local Bangladeshi community

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Indian Businessman Indian Businessman

News 1975 4 mins Location: Leicester

He arrived in Britain with £3 and went on to become one of the richest business men in the Midlands. How did Amrat Parmar do it?

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Pasand Apni Apni Pasand Apni Apni

Comedy 1969 112 mins Location: London

Bollywood-on-Thames: East meets West in a tale of two loves in 70s London

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Pasand Apni Apni (Trailer) Pasand Apni Apni (Trailer)

1969 3 mins

Short promo for a Brit-Bollywood romance

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The Waiting Room The Waiting Room

Drama 1996 9 mins Location: Hackney

Mickey realises his ticket is a different colour. Should he swap it?

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Insaaf Insaaf

Government sponsored film 1971 43 mins

An extremely unusual, deeply fascinating public information film - targeted at the South Asian community and filmed partly in Urdu.

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Tariq Ali Tariq Ali

1968 28 mins

The radical activist discusses anti-Vietnam protests, violence and the true nature of international power

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Dilip Hiro Dilip Hiro

1968 30 mins

The British Pakistani journalist talks to Bernard Braden about living in Britain and his thoughts on the concept of integration

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London Me Bharat London Me Bharat

Drama 1972 20 mins Location: London

Stylishly-shot document of multicultural 1970s London among Southall's Asian community.

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London Me Bharat: India in London London Me Bharat: India in London

Short documentary 2017 7 mins

Filmmaker Vinod Pande reflects on his ground-breaking 1972 debut London Me Bharat, the first Hindi-language film to be produced in Britain.

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Trev's 21st 1963 Trev's 21st 1963

Amateur film 1963 2 mins Silent Location: Redbridge

It's twistin' time! Wander in and celebrate Trev's 21st birthday in this fly-on-the-wall film.

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Defending a Way of Life Defending a Way of Life

Documentary 1980 32 mins

Melas, music and dance: second generation Bangladeshi youth in London’s Brick Lane celebrate multiculturalism

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The Day That Changed the Face The Day That Changed the Face

Current affairs 1980 24 mins

Report from the series Skin on the background of local politics and the aftermath of the 1979 Southall riots following an anti-fascist demonstration.

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Naz Naz

Documentary 2000 27 mins Location: Bradford

A portrait of campaigner Naz Shah, daughter of convicted murderer Zoora Shah, and her fight to get her mother released

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Race Relations Board Race Relations Board

Public Information Filler 1969 1 mins

New law targets discrimination in housing and employment in this eye-opening public information film.

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See for Yourself! See for Yourself!

Current affairs 1972 28 mins

An East End shop steward is sent to Uganda in this groundbreaking experiment in investigative journalism

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Anti National Front Demonstrations Bradford Anti National Front Demonstrations Bradford

Non-Fiction 1978 8 mins Silent Location: Bradford

One of many “national” marches by the NF in the 1970s through predominantly Asian areas, with the inevitable angry anti-racist opposition.

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Leamington Spa Race Relations Leamington Spa Race Relations

News 1971 4 mins Location: Royal Leamington Spa

A 1971 race relations report claimed that Leamington Spa was way ahead in its dealings with issues arising from migrants settling in the town.

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Pakistani Bus Driver Pakistani Bus Driver

News 1974 2 mins Location: Birmingham

Bus timetables are sacrosanct to some but to others there are more important things in life - and faith is one of them.

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Credo Credo

1978 23 mins

Blood on the Streets. Bengali youth fight back against racism and the National Front after the death of Altab Ali.

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English As a Second Language (First and Second Phase Teaching) English As a Second Language (First and Second Phase Teaching)

Training film/TV programme 1973 19 mins Location: Bolton

Innovative teaching techniques for new South Asian pupils learning English in secondary schools

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Like Me Like Me

Documentary 1973 17 mins

Teenagers from different cultural backgrounds talk about their experiences growing up

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Benares Carpet Weaver in Exeter Benares Carpet Weaver in Exeter

Current affairs 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Exeter

A carpet weaver from Benares demonstrates his weaving ways.

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A Mosque in the Park A Mosque in the Park

Documentary 1973 54 mins Location: Brentford

An insightful and understated television documentary following the lives of four Muslim families in Brentford, Manchester and Harrow.

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Indian Bands for Wembley Indian Bands for Wembley

Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent

Colonel Mackenzie Rogan inspects Indian bands ready for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley

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For the Aga Khan's Prize For the Aga Khan's Prize

Non-Fiction 1930 1 mins Silent

The Maharani of Cooch Behar, Indira Devi, christens the Gypsy Moth aeroplane Miss India

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Indian Tales Indian Tales

Student film 1994 12 mins Location: Haringey

Indian proverbs and superstitions shape the complex love life of a young British woman.

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Asian Arranged Marriages Asian Arranged Marriages

Documentary 1977 23 mins

Janet Street-Porter investigates traditional arranged marriages in the young Asian community of the 70s

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Arranged Marriages Arranged Marriages

News 1979 4 mins Location: West Bromwich

An attempt to close a loophole in the immigration system raises questions about the sustainability of arranged marriages in Western culture.

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New Ways New Ways

Documentary 1978 13 mins Location: Southall

South Asian? Just moved to England? This pithy documentary will give you the basics on how to get by in the UK

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Growing Day by Day Growing Day by Day

Documentary 1981 9 mins

Public information film about preventing rickets in children, aimed at British Asian communities.

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Skin Deep Skin Deep

Drama 2001 15 mins Location: London

A young Pakistani man tries to pass as white and hang out with a group of racist skinheads

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The Sheep Thief The Sheep Thief

Road movie 1997 25 mins

An adolescent criminal finds redemption when he meets and helps a young mother and her family.

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A New Kind of Match A New Kind of Match

Current affairs 1967 26 mins Silent Location: Bradford

Current affairs programme about the Pakistani community in Bradford and the discrimination they face

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Indian Sweets and Savouries Indian Sweets and Savouries

Magazine and Review show 1982 8 mins Location: Leicester

By 1982 the Indian restaurant was a familiar sight but vegetarian options were still a rarity. Hilary Minster goes in search of the perfect veggie chaat in Leicester.

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Ugandan Asians at Houndstone Camp Ugandan Asians at Houndstone Camp

Current affairs 1972 7 mins Location: Yeovil

Ugandan Asian refugees face up to a sudden wintery future.

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Ugandan Asians at Plasterdown Camp Ugandan Asians at Plasterdown Camp

Current affairs 1972 4 mins Location: Tavistock

The plight of refugees expelled from Uganda is highlighted.

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Uganda Asians Uganda Asians

Non-Fiction 1972 4 mins

How will Britain respond to the plight of thousands of refugees?

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Ugandan Asians at Heathfield Camp Ugandan Asians at Heathfield Camp

Current affairs 1972 12 mins Location: Honiton

Refugees explain expulsion from Uganda and look at future prospects.

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Exodus - Uganda Exodus - Uganda

1972 26 mins

Asians face expulsion from Amin's Uganda - Jonathan Dimbleby reports.

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Out of the Darkness Out of the Darkness

Documentary 1972 22 mins

All-too-topical: a thought-provoking Christian Aid film strongly making the moral case for welcoming refugees to Britain

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Sikh Wedding in Exeter Sikh Wedding in Exeter

Current affairs 1971 1 mins Silent Location: Exeter

A Sikh couple celebrates blissful union.

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Sikh Temple 1972 Sikh Temple 1972

Non-Fiction 1972 0 mins Silent Location: Bradford

A coming together of a Sikh community in prayer, and in convivial mood, showing reverence and generosity as they share a meal together.

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Sikh Temple Part 2 Sikh Temple Part 2

Non-Fiction 1972 4 mins Silent Location: Bradford

A coming together of a Sikh community in prayer, and in convivial mood, showing reverence and generosity as they share a meal together.

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Gaumont Graphic No. 373 Gaumont Graphic No. 373

Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent

Indian soldiers arrive at Marseilles in the early months of World War I

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British News No. 2 British News No. 2

Non-Fiction 1940 16 mins

News of colonial and home efforts in WWII, including troops of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps

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British News No. 53 British News No. 53

Non-Fiction 1941 15 mins

Indian soldiers in Singapore, while their compatriots are trained in the manufacture of war munitions

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Indian Classical Dance Indian Classical Dance

News 1958 3 mins

Indrani Rahman brings Indian classical dance to the Midlands and makes a rare appearance on ITV.

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Asian Fashions Asian Fashions

News 1976 4 mins Location: Leicester

The sari has been worn by Asian women for millennia and in 1976 it was about to become a staple of wardobes across the UK.

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Sri Lankan Kandyan Dance Troop at Sidmouth Sri Lankan Kandyan Dance Troop at Sidmouth

Current affairs 1980 2 mins Location: Sidmouth

A Sri Lankan dance troop enthrals folk festival goers.

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A Love Supreme A Love Supreme

2001 10 mins Silent

A homage to the director's mother, mistress of the art of making samosas

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Asian Jewellery Asian Jewellery

News 1978 6 mins Location: Smethwick

Hindu and Muslim creations in gold inject bright new styles into Birmingham's jewellery making industry.

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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.

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Arts Centre Arts Centre

Magazine and Review show 1980 5 mins Location: Edgbaston

The sight and sounds of Asia take over the Midlands Arts Centre at Edgbaston.

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Asian Community Centre Asian Community Centre

News 1979 5 mins Location: Wolverhampton

Will the 'House of Cards' be the sanctuary that the elderly Asian men of Wolverhampton need?

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Asian Cultural Centre opens in Peterborough Asian Cultural Centre opens in Peterborough

News 1980 2 mins Location: Peterborough

Isolation can be a problem for South Asians, especially for women. A new cultural centre in Peterborough is hoping to change that.

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Peterborough Playbus Peterborough Playbus

News 1976 4 mins Location: Peterborough

Peterborough's Playbus offers a fun and welcoming space for ethnic minority families to improve their English language skills.

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Indian 11th Republic Day Celebrations at Leicester Indian 11th Republic Day Celebrations at Leicester

News 1959 1 mins Silent Location: Leicester

Samosas sit alongside sandwiches as India's Republic Day is celebrated in fine style in Leicester.

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Lord Mayor at Asian "Do" at St. George's Hall Lord Mayor at Asian "Do" at St. George's Hall

Non-Fiction 1972 9 mins Silent Location: Bradford

Quite possibly the first Indian concert to be put on in a theatre in Bradford, with striking classical Indian dancing and musical instruments.

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Interlink Cricket Club and Indian Cricket Club 1978 Bradford Interlink Cricket Club and Indian Cricket Club 1978 Bradford

Amateur film 1978 3 mins Silent Location: Bradford

Film of the pioneering Interlink Cricket Club in action at Bradford Park Avenue, breaking down barriers between communities in the 1970s.

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Protest Outside Edgbaston Protest Outside Edgbaston

News 1971 3 mins Location: Edgbaston

Do politics and cricket mix? Tense scenes in Edgbaston as the Pakistani flag is burnt by protestors incensed by the on-going civil war in their country.

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Immigration Control Immigration Control

Current affairs 1978 9 mins Location: West Bromwich

The UK's immigration laws have prevented Dara Singh from seeing his family for a decade. His is one of many sad stories...

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Fatima's Letter Fatima's Letter

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1992 20 mins

A woman remembers her past while travelling on the London Underground

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Latifah and Himli's Nomadic Uncle Latifah and Himli's Nomadic Uncle

Drama 1992 15 mins Location: Westminster

Alnoor Dewshi's clever, charming and illuminating film about two cousins who discuss ideas of culture and history while wandering through London.

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Surviving Sabu Surviving Sabu

Drama 1997 16 mins

A budding gay filmmaker clashes with his conservative Muslim father as they work on a film about iconic Indian star Sabu

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Alexandra Park Pageant, 27 June 1970 Alexandra Park Pageant, 27 June 1970

Amateur film 1970 8 mins Silent Location: Moss Side

The beginning of a Mancunian tradition - could this be the first Moss Side Carnival?

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Exeter Councillors' Sikh Temple Visit Exeter Councillors' Sikh Temple Visit

Current affairs 1977 1 mins Silent Location: Exeter

Guru blessing - Councillors join a religious reading at the Guru Arjan Niwas Sikh Temple on Clifton Street in Exeter

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Sikh Games Sikh Games

News 1979 4 mins Location: Smethwick

Strength, speed and agility on show at the Sikh Games held at Hadley Stadium in Smethwick with a special welcome for local weightlifting hero Gian Singh Cheema.

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Schools for Moslems Schools for Moslems

Documentary 1980 27 mins Location: Bury

A visit to Darul Uloom School in South Lancashire, the UK's first Muslim school

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Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr

Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking

The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!

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Islam in London Islam in London

Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Southfields

A historic occasion in Southfields as London's first mosque is officially opened.

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Living Together Living Together

Amateur film 1971 11 mins Silent Location: Leicester

Leicester at the dawn of the 1970s. The forefront of a new multicultural Britain.

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Indian Sweets Indian Sweets

News 1979 4 mins Location: Moseley

A new type of shop appears on the high street: Indian sweets have arrived in Birmingham.

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Home From Home Home From Home

Documentary 1976 22 mins Location: Newport/Casnewydd

Iraqi coffee, Welsh songs, the hokey-cokey: ingredients of a multicultural church social, Newport but Yousaf Ali from Pakistan still has to choose to be “western” or “eastern”.

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Pakistani March, Bradford April 1979 Pakistani March, Bradford April 1979

Non-Fiction 1979 13 mins Silent Location: Bradford

Passions run high as the Pakistani community in Bradford take to the streets in angry protest against the execution of former Pakistan Prime Minister Ali Bhutto by General Zia.

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Anti National Front Demonstrations Bradford Anti National Front Demonstrations Bradford

Non-Fiction 1978 8 mins Silent Location: Bradford

One of many “national” marches by the NF in the 1970s through predominantly Asian areas, with the inevitable angry anti-racist opposition.

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Asian Alliance/National Front Demos Asian Alliance/National Front Demos

Non-Fiction 1980 12 mins Silent Location: Halifax

A rare behind the scenes film of the police, and both sides of the conflict, in action at anti-fascist demos in Dewsbury and Halifax, notable for Asian self-organisation.

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No Virginity, No Nationality No Virginity, No Nationality

Drama-documentary 1981 15 mins

Satirical docu-drama based on the shocking fact that virginity tests were carried out by the home office on Asian girls arriving from India and Pakistan between 1971-1979.

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The Indian Review - Grand March past of the Forty Indian Regiments The Indian Review - Grand March past of the Forty Indian Regiments

Ceremony 1902 0 mins Silent

Queen Alexandra reviews Indian and other colonial troops in this early film by the Hepworth company

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The Bottom of the List The Bottom of the List

Documentary 1968 27 mins Location: Wolverhampton

World In Action visits Wolverhampton for a hard-hitting report on race and housing.

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Working to a Pattern Working to a Pattern

Documentary 1980 32 mins

Rag trade revival or sweatshops? In the back streets of Brick Lane, Bangladeshi machinists sew 70s fashions

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Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - I Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - I

Home movie 1960 39 mins Silent Location: Butetown

Tiger Bay in Cardiff's docks area: a successful, multi-cultural community, providing a variety of activities, but which is threatened by 'slum' clearance.

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Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - II Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - II

Home movie 1960 65 mins Silent Location: Butetown

Cardiff's Shirley Bassey, seen here as a member of The Rainbow Club, established to promote the performing arts amongst Tiger Bay children, found the crock of gold!

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Moslems in Britain - Manchester Moslems in Britain - Manchester

Documentary 1961 21 mins Location: Manchester

An appeal to Muslims to come and work in Manchester.

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Moslems in Britain - Places Moslems in Britain - Places

Documentary 1964 23 mins Location: Woking

Visit the places important to London's Muslim community in this informative short documentary.

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Moslems in Britain - Cardiff Moslems in Britain - Cardiff

Documentary 1961 19 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd

Perky presenter Gamal Kinnay extols the joys of industrial Cardiff, in this recruitment film designed to encourage Arab workers to come to Britain.

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Ugandan Asians in Leicester Ugandan Asians in Leicester

News 1972 8 mins Location: Leicester

Bringing "sweet memories of Uganda" to the East Midlands.

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Moslems in Britain - People Moslems in Britain - People

Documentary 1964 24 mins

A series of interviews about life in the capital with Muslims living and studying in London

More South Asian Britain films in our Rentals collection.