This film is currently unavailable
It Couldn't Happen Here
The pop-surrealist road movie starring the Pet Shop Boys, finally available for the first time in the digital era.
Director: Jack Bond
Overview
Originally conceived as an hour-long video based on the Pet Shop Boys' 1987 album Actually, It Couldn’t Happen Here turned into a full-scale feature film directed by Jack Bond (Anti-Clock). Alongside Joss Ackland, Gareth Hunt and Barbara Windsor, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe travel on an extraordinary adventure from the coast to London, encountering a curious array of eccentric characters along the way. Pop surrealism meets classic road movie, the film is peppered with hits from the duo’s first two studio albums, including ‘West End Girls’, ‘It’s a Sin’ and ‘Always On My Mind’.
Never less than fascinating, It Couldn’t Happen Here is a truly unique film and one that has sadly been long unavailable. Newly remastered by the BFI from a 4K scan, we are delighted to present the film digitally for the first time.
strong sex references, nudityRelated
The Patience Stone The Patience Stone
Drama 2013 102 mins Director: Atiq Rahimi
Unforgettable account of an Afghan woman who reveals her deepest and darkest secrets in the most dangerous of places.
Banel & Adama Banel & Adama
Drama 2023 87 mins Director: Ramata-Toulaye Sy
In this compelling love story set in Senegal, Banel and Adama’s relationship is tested by a devastating turn of events that challenges their village’s way of life.
Close Your Eyes Close Your Eyes
Drama 2023 169 mins Director: Víctor Erice
Víctor Erice’s latest cinematic gem, at once a mystery about an actor’s sudden disappearance from a film shoot, and a meditation on memory, identity, friendship – and the power of cinema.
Mambar Pierrette Mambar Pierrette
Drama 2023 94 mins Director: Rosine Mbakam
Rosine Mbakam’s feature debut focuses on a week in the life of a working-class Cameroonian who strives against all odds to make ends meet.
Bless Their Little Hearts Bless Their Little Hearts
Drama 1983 86 mins Director: Billy Woodberry
Nuanced marital drama directed by Billy Woodberry and written by Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep), who also shot the film in his characteristically sublime black and white style.
Monster Monster
Drama 2023 127 mins Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
Not all is as it seems in Hirokazu Koreeda’s powerful drama told from shifting perspectives.
The Patience Stone The Patience Stone
Drama 2013 102 mins Director: Atiq Rahimi
Unforgettable account of an Afghan woman who reveals her deepest and darkest secrets in the most dangerous of places.
Vision, Dreams and Magic: The Unmade Films of Michael Powell Vision, Dreams and Magic: The Unmade Films of Michael Powell
Short documentary 2024 41 mins Director: Nic Wassell
Discover the unrealised visions and passion projects of revered British filmmaker Michael Powell, in this fascinating documentary featuring Oscar-winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker.
Banel & Adama Banel & Adama
Drama 2023 87 mins Director: Ramata-Toulaye Sy
In this compelling love story set in Senegal, Banel and Adama’s relationship is tested by a devastating turn of events that challenges their village’s way of life.
Close Your Eyes Close Your Eyes
Drama 2023 169 mins Director: Víctor Erice
Víctor Erice’s latest cinematic gem, at once a mystery about an actor’s sudden disappearance from a film shoot, and a meditation on memory, identity, friendship – and the power of cinema.
Anselm Anselm
Biopic 2023 94 mins Director: Wim Wenders
Wim Wenders' stately and beautifully scored study of Anselm Kiefer.
Mambar Pierrette Mambar Pierrette
Drama 2023 94 mins Director: Rosine Mbakam
Rosine Mbakam’s feature debut focuses on a week in the life of a working-class Cameroonian who strives against all odds to make ends meet.