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Part of BFI collection "Portrait of a People."

Armando Iannucci presents a personal argument in praise of the genius of Charles Dickens. Through the prism of the author's most autobiographical novel, David Copperfield, Armando looks beyond Dickens - the national institution - and instead explores the qualities of Dickens's work that still make him one of the best British writers. While Dickens is often celebrated for his powerful depictions of Victorian England and his role as a social reformer, this programme foregrounds the elements of his writing which make him worth reading, as much for what he tells us about ourselves in the twenty-first century as our ancestors in the nineteenth. Armando argues that Dickens's remarkable use of language and his extraordinary gift for creating characters make him a startlingly experimental and psychologically penetrating writer who demands not just to be adapted for television but to be read and read again.

Ten Minutes Older is a 2002 film project consisting of two compilation feature films entitled The Trumpet and The Cello. The project was conceived by the producer Nicolas McClintock as a reflection on the theme of time at the turn of the Millennium. Fifteen celebrated film-makers were invited to create their own vision of what time means in ten minutes of film.

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian dictator and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. Learn of how he went from a shy boy in a small town in the province of Forlì in Romagna to arguably Italy's greatest evil.

A documentary about the making of Joe Cash's last directorial feature film Carnal Redemption, showcasing the behind the scenes, the preproduction hell of the film and the mayhem which goes into a Joe Cash film.

Harpist Catrin Finch takes a musical journey to discover the ancient and fascinating history of the harp in Wales and the world, with interviews and performances from internationally-renowned guests including Alan Stivell, Carlos Orosco, Alemu Aga, Isabelle Perrin and Elinor Bennett.

Welcome to the world of naturist cleaning. This documentary explores a unique twist on how some people handle their domestic chores. Hear from company owners and directors as well as clients and cleaners.

This is the extraordinary story of Jürgen Klopp and his journey from being unknown to the savior of Liverpool Football Club. We see how he becomes one of Germany's greatest exports and one of the most loved managers in the world.

Alex Zane counts down the top 20 Star Wars moments as voted by the public. Includes contributions from famous fans as well as the stars and crew of the intergalactic saga.

Featuring cast and crew interviews, recreated sets, and newly shot 16mm film inserts starring the Cybermen.

A journey in the footsteps of the most famous initiate of Italian Trecento, the author of the celebrated "Divine Comedy". A poet who has inspired some of the most outstanding minds in History.

In response to a humorous and heartfelt letter that he sent to his son in high school to wish them good luck in their GCSE exams, M.J Connor decides to respond to their Dad’s letter by surprising him with a documentary they made about their relationship with him and their mental health. M.J suffers with MADD (Mixed and Anxiety and Depressive Disorder) and Combined ADHD. In the film, they use dramatisations and scenes where they talk directly to their Dad in order to get him to understand what they go through on a daily basis, but to also thank him for everything he’s done for always being there and supporting them every step of the way.

Stephen Dwoskin’s final film is a meditation on the subjective experience and cultural concepts of ageing. The film is an ode to the texture, the beauty, the singularity of aging faces and silhouettes, a hypnotic poem in the Dwoskin meaning of the term which is long observations of very tiny details. A gesture, a pause, a look, a moment. Throughout his films intimacy has always played a leading role and this is also true for Age is..., all the faces being close friends, or close friends relatives and sometimes even Stephen himself.

Lucy, a transgender woman, shares her journey of self-love and empowerment since starting hormone replacement therapy three years ago. The film is part animation, part documentary and part VHS archive footage.

An exploration of Chinese cinema and its relationships with gender and sexuality, which the film argues has been more frankly and provocatively explored than in any other national cinema. Utilizing both film excerpts and interviews with many leading directors and academics, the film examines topics such as male bonding in kung fu movies, depictions of same-sex bonding and physical intimacy, the emphasis on women's grievances in melodramas, and the career of Yam Kim-Fai, a Hong Kong actress who spent her life portraying men on and off the screen.

In this two-part Channel 4 series, Professor Richard Dawkins challenges what he describes as 'a process of non-thinking called faith'. He describes his astonishment that, at the start of the 21st century, religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth. Science, based on scepticism, investigation and evidence, must continuously test its own concepts and claims. Faith, by definition, defies evidence: it is untested and unshakeable, and is therefore in direct contradiction with science. In addition, though religions preach morality, peace and hope, in fact, says Dawkins, they bring intolerance, violence and destruction. The growth of extreme fundamentalism in so many religions across the world not only endangers humanity but, he argues, is in conflict with the trend over thousands of years of history for humanity to progress to become more enlightened and more tolerant.

Cameras go behind the scenes at Brown's, London's oldest luxury hotel, during the Christmas season, as staff face the expectations of delivering a luxury festive stay for guests booking rooms that start at £750 a night. The hotel's elite team hosts a vibrant charity Christmas fayre, creates imaginative festive pastries, and concocts a signature holiday cocktail, all aimed at delivering the Christmas feast of a lifetime.

Reveals an alternate history of the post-war world. This is a version of history where, in contrast to what we are all told, fascist ideology prevailed. The story of Klaus Barbie, Nazi torturer, American spy, tool of repressive right-wing regimes, is symbolic of the real relationship that the "Western" governments had with fascism and makes us see the world as it is today - and the politicians that inhabit it - in a different way.

Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington discuss the big bang, the space race, time travel, biology, and logic.

Elite athletes and insiders reflect on the Paralympic Games and examine how they impact a global understanding of disability, diversity and excellence.

A portrait of controversial Breitbart honcho and Donald Trump advisor, Stephen K. Bannon.

Now recognized as one of the best electric guitars ever designed, Leo Fender's Stratocaster is a vital ingredient of American popular culture. Its completely unconventional design and construction have rendered it the most copied of all modern electric guitars. This documentary celebrates 40 years of the history of the Fender Stratocaster.

A short documentary film that showcases Hackney City Farm in East London.

Mina Smallman’s daughters were murdered. As their killer and police who took selfies with the bodies come to trial, she shares her journey of grief, rage and faith with Stacey Dooley.

A documentary shot by filmmakers all over the world that serves as a time capsule to show future generations what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July, 2010.

A look at the search for the fabled Northwest passage, the legendary path through the ice across the Canadian Arctic, and the attempts made by wealthy British explorer Sir John Franklin and penniless Norwegian Roald Amundsen.

HRH The Princess of Wales hosts a special Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey with festive musical performances, touching readings, and inspiringly warm films.

GREAT NORTH: A RUN. A RIVER. A REGION is a documentary film about the Great North Run, a half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

Tells the story of how Frank Capra, a young and penniless immigrant, rose through the ranks of early Hollywood to become one of the Great American storytellers.

Corin Redgrave presents a portrait of his father, Michael Redgrave, exploring his personality, nature and what he was like as a father. He uses family photographs and letters and his father's diaries and autobiography, and produces a picture of a complicated and troubled man who was bisexual, a heavy drinker and emotionally distant and cold as a father. Includes contributions from Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, as well as Harold Pinter and Diana Menuhin. Also contains clips from several of Michael Redgrave's films.

This poignant testament to the physical and emotional cost of war, centres on the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Ten-year-old Damilola Taylor was fatally stabbed in 2000 in a stairwell in Peckham, South East London, just metres from his home. 'Star Wars' star John Boyega, who also grew up in Peckham, speaks for the first time about being one of the last people to see him alive, sharing the fear and uncertainty that followed in the aftermath of Taylor's death. Boyega is joined by close friends and family members of Taylor, who reveal the events that led to his death and talk for the first time about the impact his tragic murder has had in shaping their lives.

Mixing Super 8 and phone footage 'The New World' expands the short format of previous works in a sinuous narrative of 23 minutes. Its longhand structure explores the nature of thought and reflection, trauma and memory through performance and storytelling. Yet the story is a series of dead ends and inconclusive musings, part film noir and part fairy tale its optimism is cut with a deep nostalgia that views the 20th century from the vantage point of the 21st . "She..all the waitresses, all the smoking women looking out windows. Just a slippery history full of the broken puppetry of her narrators" – Eileen Myles

Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.

The life and tragic death of Whitney Houston.

In a country where bella figura is a national pastime, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is the maestro of media manipulation. Having risen to political primacy with the aid of his Mediaset empire, he now controls 90% of the bel paese’s television channels including the state-run RAI network. Quantity, it seems, does not equal quality. Fed on a diet of semi-naked dancing girls, inane competitions and rickety reality shows built around the most ridiculous of premises, is it any wonder that Italians are becoming a nation of fame-hungry wannabes?

Three British porn addicts, Kevin, 20, Danny, 26, and Jonathan, 40, go to America to meet their favourite stars, and witness the harsh realities behind the factories of fantasy.

Examines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to legendary director Roman Polanski's sudden flight from the United States.

Nancy Franklin was so overwhelmed by the film 'I Know Where I'm Going!' (1945) that she traveled from New York to the Western Isles of Scotland to see the places where it was made and to find out more about the people who made it. This documentary retraces her steps on a subsequent visit.

Figures and musicians connected by black culture across the City of Manchester catalogue their history, personal experiences and ideology

Truth becomes the source of creativity; actions are a result of being, not thinking. This film, INSIDE/OUTSIDE is based upon Monika’s processes over many years. Robert Golden has had the privilege of meeting and photographing some of Monika’s late work. Although her teaching is for performers, Robert has said that her gift of understanding humanity has been gifted in some small ways to him. Monika’s inspirational way of working, helps actors to find a unity between their inner psyche and its outer expression. The 46-minute film shows a precise description of her work. Monika explains it in detail along with thoughts about movement, performance and theatre. The insightful and entertaining book and film are relevant to actors, dancers, Laban yoga, Feldenkrais, Pilates and other sports and movement systems and to people working with children.

Helena Bonham-Carter narrates this explorative doc about Noele Gordon. Witness the rise & fall of a soapland queen with access to personal papers and never-before-seen pictures.

The story of the HOIST, London's first and only Gay Fetish Bar, coincides with the political struggle to decriminalize homosexual activity within the United Kingdom.

The story of two soldier-cameramen, Sgt Mike Lewis and Sgt Bill Lawrie, who witnessed the liberation of Belsen during the closing days of World War II.

A behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of 1983's Yellowbeard

From humble beginnings to an aspiring thespian to acting as some of the world's most iconic and notable characters. He has picked up a reputation as 'America's Nice Guy', 'The Everyman' and a nomad of the arts. But we all know him... as Tom Hanks.

A one-off late-night version of the ITV breakfast show aiming to capture the mood of the nation after England's final World Cup group match.

Survey of the Royal Highlights of June in Coronation year; the Coronation, the Derby, Queen's visits to Guildhall and Edinburgh. Made in 3-D.

On a Tuesday morning in August 2023, a group of kids set off for school, climbing into a makeshift cable car for the journey across a mountain pass in northwest Pakistan. What happened next would make headlines around the world. Suddenly, 900 feet above the ground, two cables snapped, putting the teenagers in mortal danger.

David Attenborough and scientist Johan Rockström examine Earth's biodiversity collapse and how this crisis can still be averted.

Survivors of the Mumbai terrorist attacks tell the inside story of the actions and decisions that helped save their lives.

All Andy and Ben want to do is play basketball. When they join the under 16s league the boys and their new teammates take on opponents from around Yorkshire, and the challenges of growing up in inner city Leeds.

Girls Aloud: Ten Years at the Top is a documentary released to coincide with the tenth anniversary of British all-female pop group Girls Aloud. Aloud. The documentary explores their origin and history, solo projects, and reuniting. It includes new interviews and previously unseen footage.

Several people walk into a bar... The funniest comedians of our time stand up to be counted down in our exhaustive look at who really has funny bones. Boom boom

British Channel 4 documentary looking at the work of Bradford Social Services and some of the people in Bradford who are struggling to cope in their lives.

What makes a convention? Is it the signings, cosplay or the social aspect. In this documentary we will take a look into all those subjects. We also talk to some convention organisers to see why the decided to make a convention. We touch on conventions coming out of lockdown and how they will change.

A celebration of the life and times of the actor Gerard Kelly, with contributions from his friends and colleagues. Gerard's career spanned nearly 40 years starting in 1973 at the age of fourteen, moved on to the hapless Willie Melvin in City Lights and culminated with the fabulous, outrageous Bunny in Extras. Among those appearing will be Richard Wilson, David Hayman, Les Dennis, Andy Gray, Jonathan Watson and Elaine C Smith.

From groundbreaking human cloning research to a scandalous downfall, this documentary tells the captivating story of Korea's most notorious scientist.

Presented by Tony Slattery this memorable video includes everybody's favourite characters from the whole Tipps family including Mr Shifter - the piano remover, Brooke Bond - the immaculately cool secret agent and Dolly & Ada - the gossiping housewives to mention but a few. On his chase to catch up the Tipps, Tony finds himself in numerous ridiculous situations, including pedalling furiously in the Tour De France, being run over by motorcars in the Grand Prix and even by Ben Hur's horses! Ingenious, original and hugely entertaining, this video will be a popular addition to everybody's larder!