Listen to Britain is one of the great masterpieces of 20th-century film. BBC Four celebrates its 75th anniversary by rescreening the classic documentary ahead of an evening of 12 new films inspired in some way or other by the original. These were commissioned by BBC Four and the BFI from new and emerging filmmakers as a result of a national call-out. The evening is introduced by Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald, an ardent fan of Jennings, who speaks passionately about why Listen to Britain is one of his all-time favourite films, not least because it demonstrated that documentaries could be art. That notion is borne out in the 12 new, short documentary films shown tonight: Each responds to the idea of 'listening to Britain' in a surprising, entertaining and original way - some playing on the theme of listening, others questioning the very notion of Britishness in our current, divided times. They offer glimpses of lives lived from the Welsh valleys to the Scottish lowlands, from the heart of middle England to the sometimes mean streets of London. Ranging from wry observation to fierce polemic, most offer a chance to listen to those whose voices are seldom heard. Together they offer a powerful portrait of a nation of great contrasts - a series of memorable picture postcards, creating a richly patterned mosaic of life in the UK in 2017 and introducing the distinctive voices of the next generation of British documentary film-makers.
Listen to Britain is one of the great masterpieces of 20th-century film. BBC Four celebrates its 75th anniversary by rescreening the classic documentary ahead of an evening of 12 new films inspired in some way or other by the original, commissioned by BBC Four and the BFI from new and emerging film-makers as a result of a national call-out. Created by the celebrated director Humphrey Jennings and his superb editor Stewart McAllister, it was commissioned in 1942 as a piece of wartime propaganda, but its elegance and artistry have ensured that its influence has extended far beyond its original purpose. It is made up of a series of nimbly and subtly connected scenes, depicting a day and a night on the Home Front. And despite lacking any dialogue, story or narration it nonetheless sent a powerful and lucid message to anyone watching either in Britain or abroad - this is a nation united: pulling together with fortitude and stoicism, determined to maintain its character as a civil and civilized culture, keeping calm and carrying on. Having stripped away the usual trappings of either documentary, or feature film, Jennings uses both masterful framing and ingenious cutting to display how the business of war abuts the day-to-day. On first glance the director's hand is often imperceptible. But make no mistake: it's always there. Jennings makes poetry from the pictures, from lapping waves to dancing couples and floating barrage balloons. And the soundscape is just as carefully designed: moving between the sound of children playing to the rumble of military vehicles, between the puff of a steam train to the clatter of a factory. And running throughout is music - played in pubs, in schoolyards, in church vaults, on factory radios and culminating in a lunch-time concert by pianist Myra Hess at London's National Gallery - where everyone from the Queen to the office worker on her break are shown to share a common pleasure. Listen to Britain's portrait of a nation had an
Kasha moved from Poland to the UK 27 years ago, but she has only recently started to experience problems with her accent. After moving to a more insular part of the UK and feeling discriminated against because of the way she speaks, Kasha is motivated to neutralise her accent in order to fit in. With the help of Christine, an elocution teacher, she undergoes accent training to sound less like a foreigner. The film reveals Kasha's struggle to be fully accepted in the country she now calls home. It is a story about contemporary multicultural Britain, highlighting the universal need to fit in, to feel at home and be accepted by others.
Documentary which explores the last corporation bus garage in Glasgow and examines how our lost industrial past is providing hope for the future. Within the vast impressive space of Bridgeton bus garage the care taken to restore old vehicles is emblematic of the personal journey some of the individuals working here are on, rebuilding their lives after a troubled past. A layered soundscape evokes the unique atmosphere of this building, highlighting how each vehicle has its own individual acoustics and voice, just like the people working there.
A day in the life of 'Stumpy', a taxi driver in the small ex-mining town of Maesteg, as he takes his regular fares around the Welsh valleys. Through Stumpy's conversations with his passengers, we are taken on a journey of everyday life as they deal with love, life, and loss. An open, funny, tender poem to Maesteg and the lives that are lived there.
How can one dog make such a big impact on so many lives? A glimpse of the world through the eyes of Eric, a therapy dog, unveils the profound relationships he has with marginalised and often overlooked people in his local community, and highlights the beautiful simplicity of the therapeutic power of dogs.
Three young London poets reveal their personal struggles with mental illness through intimate poetic performances that simultaneously paint a portrait of modern-day London as they connect with their urban communities, raising awareness and creating empowering connections.
A profile of India Hope, a 24-year-old female poet with Down's syndrome. Through the affective and sometimes brutal honesty of her own words the film portrays a young woman who refuses to be contained by a label, ultimately showing us that there is far more to India that we might relate to than feel different from. When the original 'Listen to Britain' was made, people like India were not included in documentaries - people with Down's are simply absent from the film archive and the film strip itself. This film seeks to readdress that historical omission. It hopes to contribute to the wider discussion of the worth of people with Down's by not only inviting viewers to look and listen to India but also to experience life from her perspective and to increase visibility of people with Down's in the public domain, highlighting their personalities, perspectives and achievements as individuals. Shot on 16 mm film, through interview and poetry, the film gives us a chance to hear directly from India herself. She does not speak for all people with Down's, she is as singular as any artist. And the world will be richer for hearing her voice.
An audio-driven animated documentary covering a day of life in Yorkshire. This is a rhythmical glimpse of the diverse life and culture that exists in this varied landscape. It captures the sound of Yorkshire, from its multicultural bustling cities like Bradford and Sheffield to the delicate sounds of birds in the countryside and the hypnotic rhythm of the motorways and train tracks. The narrative was developed to encapsulate the varied experience across a cross section of England's largest county. Marcus grew up in Pontefract, West Yorkshire and wanted to reflect his experiences of the diverse landscapes and cultures on his doorstep. Over several months he worked with animators Ana Stefaniak and Matthew Armitage to produce the animation using a mixture of watercolour, oil pastel and digital techniques. Thousands of drawings make up this two-minute documentary using colour and sound to move between many different perspectives. Marcus recorded sound from multiple locations in Yorkshire focusing on different landscapes and the rhythmical aspects of life in Yorkshire. Working with sound designer Marian Mentrup they edited these recordings into a piece that moves quickly between locations and people living life throughout Yorkshire.
Young females of Britain are creating a roar across the internet. With millions listening, they are sparking online debate about the biggest issues facing their peers; from climate change and transphobia, to racism. The internet is speaking back to them. But it's not all positive. Their followers are sending these women uncontrollable numbers of messages, and it's sculpting their real-life existence and challenging their sense of self. From a 15-year-old bird watcher who daily receives islamophobic comments, to a black transgender woman who is attacked for who she is, this ethereal audio-visual poem centres on four of the internet's biggest stars. As we explore the relationships these women have with the online world, we'll uncover why despite the hostility they are continuing to speak out online. Cast: Munroe Bergdorf, Ella Grace Denton, Elizabeth Farrell, Mya-Rose Craig.
A moving glimpse into the quiet world of an ordinary English town in Surrey where a group of people have formed their own practical and positive response to the enormity of the refugee crisis. Ahmed is a refugee from Syria. Separated from family and friends and far from home he must put the past behind him. Ingrid and her son Ross have welcomed him into their home, but as they support Ahmed in his efforts to find a new life they find themselves on an unexpectedly rewarding and life-affirming journey. Whilst many simply watched in horror as events unfolded, others in towns and villages all across the UK have worked energetically to raise money, collect supplies and clothing to send to camps on the frontline. Some have even taken refugees into their own homes, offering them food, shelter and support. They are determined to show that despite the climate of fear there is room for refugees in the UK and they are welcome here.
CLASH challenges the national obsession with period dramas and calls out their failure to reflect modern diversity, asking what it means for those excluded from this vision of the UK. Humphrey Jennings' Listen to Britain propagated a myth of national unity. CLASH, through the perspectives of underrepresented queer people of colour, critiques the myths we still tell ourselves on screen. Through candid interviews and staged period drama sequences, the film explores the issues surrounding nostalgic, 'heritage' film and television, and how they erase the diverse history of Britain, particularly its colonial past.
What does it mean to be British? Gabriel, a dentist originally from Hong Kong, has lived in Milton Keynes for nearly 50 years. His mixed race son Michael couldn't wait to leave. Now a film-maker, he returns to the city to discover how his father feels about the place he has made home.
A tapestry of images woven together by snippets of interviews, musings on memory, identity and our perception of the self, Voices of Britain is a portrait of how our similarities outweigh our differences and an exploration of what it means to be an individual in a collective society. Shot in June 2017, the Manchester attack echoing through the collective consciousness, the month of the snap general election, the Borough Market attack and the Grenfell Tower fire, the film never directly explores or addresses the exact events taking place in the country at the time of production. Instead, it stands as a time capsule of the mood of the people, the feel of the society, the tone of the country. Using mixed media, including found footage, home videos and recorded interviews, Voices of Britain takes a whirlwind tour from coast to coast, gazing on families, communities and individuals across every region of our country. Households scattered across Britain reveal the vibrancy of our country today, taking us on a journey into the minds, hearts, and souls of communities to reflect on how, where and why we as Brits live the way we do. Centring on the hopes, fears, and dreams of those that call Britain home, as they attempt to provide security for future generations, and retain their cultural identity.
