Morris Dancing at Berkhamstead

A Pat On The Head Causes A Dream

November 2022 •Chinese

A filmmaker and rapper duo revive Michel Gondry’s “Be Kind Rewind” protocols - a set of filmmaking “rules” with which groups of strangers can conceive, shoot, and screen a film in just two and a half hours. Against the grim backdrop of the stringent Shanghai lockdown, the event soon turns into a sanctuary for individuals to forge collective dreams.

The Fearless Freaks

May 2005 •English

Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

Stars of Cabaret

January 1956 •English

A collection of amateur films made by photographer Roderic Vickers and friends.

Trip to Manipur

January 1935 •English

Amateur film of a road trip through northeastern India, showing traditional dances and a gigantic flower float.

En avant guinguette !

May 2023 •French

Faites du cinéma

January 1945 •French

Promotional film for camera equipment shop "Radio Armor".

La grande histoire de la Bretagne

May 2022 •French

From time immemorial, the Bretons have fought many battles to safeguard their culture, rich in language, music and dance. However, Brittany was for a long time a forgotten land, neglected by the Republic which forbade its language. From the 1960s onwards, the agricultural revolution turned peasant life upside down. Its culture, which had long been supported by Catholic priests, was emancipated in the seventies, carried by a new breath of air that accompanied the Breton angers. The youth then reappropriated their language and culture. From the long years of relegation to their great anger, the Bretons have written a fascinating saga since the end of the 19th century.

Ladakh

March 1943 •English

A stunning trek from the vale of Kashmir, via Sind Valley and Kargil and Lamayaru Monastry.

Die Morisken des Erasmus Grasser

Invalid date •German

A documentary about the Moriscan dance with spectacular detail shots of the carved moriscos from the City Museum and excerpts of the dance program with musical accompaniment by the Capella Monacensis.

Proyecto muerto v6 (6).mp4

July 2024 •Spanish

Java, l'âme de l'Indonésie

June 2019 •French

Derby c.1938 - Eisner Personal Film

January 1938 •English

Charming amateur film featuring the Eisner family, who emigrated to Britain from Romania the year this film was made.

Cohen Personal Film: The Oval

August 1938 •English

England thrash Australia in the fifth Test at the Oval - but still lose the Ashes.

Children on Camera - A Primer about Movies

October 1969 •English

Minimalist movie making at its best: kids learn the art of film language using illustrations and margarine boxes.

Canoe

September 1961 •English

Boys’ canoe trip on the Thames in London.

Arrowhead

September 1970 •English

Learn how to climb Great Gable in the Lake District, via the Arrowhead ridge climb.

Valley of Rhymney

May 1947 •English

Made to foster relations between the local residents of Rhymney, in south Wales, and the church.

Easter Parade, Hyde Park

April 1958 •English

An array of vintage vehicles - horse-drawn, two and four-wheeled - pass through Hyde Park in the annual Easter Parade.

Hilton Hotel Construction

September 1959 •English

The Hilton Hotel rises from the ashes, surrounded by derelict houses and bomb damaged streets.

Snapshots of China: Shaoyang Hospital, Hunan

October 1946 •English

Rare insight into the health work of Methodist missionaries in rural Shaoyang, Hunan Province, South Central China.