Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Kent Hop Farming - Making Charcoal
The cultivation of hops and the manufacture of charcoal, using ancient and modern methods, feature in this fascinating film from the 1930s
From the collection of:
Overview
This film starts by showing the overhead lattice required for hops to grow. As the bines grow upwards, men spray them with chemicals, while tractors and horses work alongside. We then see a forest kiln being constructed from wooden poles arranged into a dome. This is covered in straw and earth after which a man drops hot embers into the top of the kiln, thus beginning the slow process of pyrolysis. Raking the kiln reveals the charcoal, which fuels the furnaces of the oast-house.
Related
Watch for free
Kent Hop Farming Kent Hop Farming
Amateur film 1930 10 mins Silent Location: Goldwell
A sympathetic portrait of hop-pickers and oast-house workers in 1930s Kent – showing scenes of rural life that have long since vanished
Watch for free
To the Rescue To the Rescue
Children's 1952 21 mins Silent Location: Biddenden
An eccentric dog-loving grocer leads the chase to reclaim a stolen pedigree poodle in this madcap canine comedy
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.