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Child of Empire

Two men from the Partition generation — Ishar Das Arora, an Indian Hindu who migrated from Pakistan to India, and Iqbal-ud-din Ahmed, a Pakistani Muslim who made the opposite journey — share childhood memories of their experiences while playing a board game. As the two men unpack their memories, audiences embody the experience of a 7-year-old child at key points in the migration. Child of Empire offers a powerful counter-narrative that lends a fresh perspective on the effects of forced migration on everyday individuals.

Child of Empire

NR 2022
What are UFOs?

For decades, UFOs have intrigued the world, but many scientists avoided studying them. In the United States, after highly publicised sightings of unidentified objects by US Navy pilots, UFOs are moving out of the shadows and into the light as NASA pledges to study them scientifically. So what does science have to say? Though some are identified as balloons, drones, weather phenomena or optical illusions, others remain mysterious. Could they be the result of secret new technology? And what would it take for alien engineers to traverse vast distances to send probes or visit Earth from other solar systems? Explore the evidence as astrophysicists and engineers use new technologies to investigate the strangest objects in our skies.

What are UFOs?

NR 2025
The Sweet: All That Glitters

In 1973, Sweet were the subject of a documentary All That Glitters for BBC Schools series Scene. Being intended for “educational purposes,” the program had to pose a relevant topic for debate among its teenage audience—in this case, “Is the music business really that glamorous?” Over a period of two to three days, Scene followed the band members Brian Connolly (vocals), Steve Priest (bass/coals), Andy Scott (guitar) and Mick Tucker (drums) as they rehearsed for a Top of the Pops appearance (which led to an outcry over Priest’s Nazi outfit) and their (now hailed as “legendary”) Christmas show at London’s Rainbow Theater.

The Sweet: All That Glitters

NR 1974
King for a Day

King for a Day is a poetic archive-led documentary immersing us in the personal story of the people of Padstow in Cornwall, their ancient rituals and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. The tension between tradition and progress highlights the importance of cultural identity and the role of folk customs in our globalised society. King for a Day is an intimate portrait of a place and community pushed to the margins. A cinematic journey interweaving audio-visual archive spanning 150 years. Will this be the last generation to tease the ‘Old Oss’ from his stable to welcome the Summer?

King for a Day

NR 2023
The Show of Shows: 100 Years of Vaudeville, Circuses and Carnivals

This film tells the story of itinerant circus performers, cabaret acts and fairground attractions, showing rarities and never-before seen footage of fairgrounds, circus entertainment, freak shows, variety performances, music hall and seaside entertainment, chronicled from the 19th and 20th century. We will see early shows that wowed the world and home movies of some of the greatest circus families. Director Benedikt Erlingsson takes us back to the days when the most outlandish, skillful and breathtaking acts traveled the world. This rich visual archive has been created with exclusive access to The University of Sheffield’s National Fairground Archive and is accompanied by an epic new score by Georg Holm and Orri Páll Dýrason of Sigur Rós, in collaboration with Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and Kjartan Dagur Holm.

The Show of Shows: 100 Years of Vaudeville, Circuses and Carnivals

7.0 2015
The Story of 'Are You Being Served?'

Cast, crew and writers of the much-loved sitcom set in a department store look back on its 13 year run. Chock-full of innuendo, dodgy lifts, occasional customers and much loved regulars, this documentary tells the story of the long running farce set in the clothing section of a dilapidated department store. It's an affectionate look back at one of Britain's most popular sitcoms, where off camera the veneer of camaraderie concealed an undercurrent of envy and sadness.

The Story of 'Are You Being Served?'

NR 2010
Panthera Britannia

‘Panthera Britannia’ is a feature-length documentary exploring the unusual phenomenon of the United Kingdom’s population of mysterious large cats, which are alleged to be prowling the wilderness and countryside of rural Britain. Britain has a long, colourful and complicated history of having a diverse exotic pet trade; from the days of the old British Empire, until the mid-20th century, it was deemed an indicator and symbol of status, wealth and fashion to own exotic pets, (especially big cats). Incidents and reports spiralled out of control in the 1960s; and with the later introduction of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act in 1976, the situation only intensified, as some exotic cat owners who were unable to afford the new licences required to legally retain their pets, set about deliberately releasing their privately owned big cats in preference of having them terminated. Reports and sightings of big cats in Britain continue to this day.

Panthera Britannia

NR 2022
Mental: A History of the Madhouse

Documentary which tells the fascinating and poignant story of the closure of Britain's mental asylums. In the post-war period, 150,000 people were hidden away in 120 of these vast Victorian institutions all across the country. Today, most mental patients, or service users as they are now called, live out in the community and the asylums have all but disappeared. Through powerful testimonies from patients, nurses and doctors, the film explores this seismic revolution and what it tells us about society's changing attitudes to mental illness over the last sixty years.

Mental: A History of the Madhouse

4.5 2010
Promises & Betrayals: Britain and the Struggle for the Holy Land

A documentary on how British double-dealing during the First World War ignited the conflict between Arab and Jew in the Middle East. The bitter struggle between Arab and Jew for control of the Holy Land has caused untold suffering in the Middle East for generations. It is often claimed that the crisis originated with Jewish emigration to Palestine and the foundation of the state of Israel. Yet the roots of the conflict are to be found much earlier – in British double-dealing during the First World War. This is a story of intrigue among rival empires; of misguided strategies; and of how conflicting promises to Arab and Jew created a legacy of bloodshed which determined the fate of the Middle East.

Promises & Betrayals: Britain and the Struggle for the Holy Land

8.0 2002
My Friend Lanre

Regan first documented his friend’s life in the 1998 film Don’t Get High on Your Own Supply. Fehintola became hooked on heroin while working on a book about a group of drug addicts. Regan caught up with him again in the 2001 film Cold Turkey, as Fehintola attempted to break his addiction by locking himself in his flat without medication. My Friend Lanre jumps two decades, to a moment when Fehintola has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Regan never set out to document someone dying, but this is what his film becomes. Drawing from over 25 years of footage, the filmmaker presents an intensely intimate portrayal of his friendship and collaboration with Fehintola. It is charming, funny, devastating and, by its close, a bravely personal, living testament to one person’s life and work.

My Friend Lanre

NR 2024
Mexican Dream

Malena had her tubes tied after an abusive relationship and fled to Mexico City seeking a better life, but her ex-spouse took custody of her children despite her fierce fight. Today she has a new partner and is finishing the house where she dreams of living with her three children and a new baby. She needs IVF treatment if she is to have a second chance now that she's older and wiser. Malena decides to quit her job as a domestic worker and return home to set up a business and have the family she always dreamt of. Feeling abandoned, her children punish her while her partner threatens to leave if the IVF fails. Can she pull everyone together and make her dreams come true?

Mexican Dream

5.0 2023
Canvey - The Promised Island

After decades of rising house prices, many of the North London Hasidic Jewish community are relocating 50 miles east to the more affordable Canvey Island, Essex: a Brexit stronghold voted 'the most English place in Britain'. This film follows the reactions of the island’s Anglican and agnostic residents as they get to grips with their new neighbours. It has the potential to be a culture clash, but leaders on both sides of the sea wall are determined that good neighbourly relations will prevail. The film follows Chris Fenwick, island native and manager of rock band Dr Feelgood, as he organises a party for both communities with social integration at the top of the menu. With Anglican priest David Tudor and key Hasidic elders on side, can Chris join the new Canvey Island community together in peace and integration?

Canvey - The Promised Island

NR 2018
Return to Devil's End

Set in the lovely village where the Doctor Who episodes titled "The Dæmons" (#059) was shot, this documentary takes place in 1992 shortly before the death of Jon Pertwee, and is hosted by classic series regulars like Nicholas Courtney, Richard Franklin, John Levene, Director - Christopher Barry, and the current voice of the Daleks, Nicholas Briggs. The documentary features interviews with actors, the director, local residents, and crew. All of the locations used in the episode are reviewed, and include archival footage shot during the original shooting in 1971.

Return to Devil's End

8.0 1993
Johnny Oddball

At the age of 8 Michael Cooper (known as Mini) began setting things on fire. Eventually he tried to burn down his own house, with his father inside. Ten years ago an award-winning BBC film told the story of this astonishingly attractive and intelligent child arsonist (Mini wasn't allowed to see it at the time). Since then, for more than half his life, Mini has been locked up in high-security psychiatric care. Mini is now 21. He has recently been released on conditional discharge. Hoping to become a magician, he has taken the stage-name 'Johnny Oddball '. Tonight's film, juxtaposing scenes from past and present, follows Mini's first steps in the outside world, and his struggle to build a career on the fringes of show business. He and his parents battle to understand why they failed in the past and what hope there is for the future. And Mini comes face to face, for the first time, with his actions and their horrifying consequences.

Johnny Oddball

NR 1985