Films - RAI FILM

RAI FILM

Film list

[back-to-basics--Film-image]

Back to Basics 1994 33‘

Directed by Dominic French .

A group of environmentalists and homeless have purchased some land on which to settle and get back to a simpler way of life. But the nearby residents of the ‘best-kept village’ in Somerset,

British-Irish Isles Social Conflict Alternative culture Land Rights

[beneath-the-budding-greenwoods--Film-image]

Beneath the Budding Greenwoods 2004 25‘

Directed by Evie Wright .

Anne and Rosemary both chose to bury their husbands in the woods, whereas Tony was certain he didn’t want a vicar at his wife’s funeral. Focusing on the experiences of three grieving widows, the film

British-Irish Isles Environment Ritual Death Religion / Belief / Faith

[born--Film-image]

Born 2008 56‘

Directed by Andy Lawrence Judith Kurutuac .

*Our hope is to create a magical-real environment in which to go beyond the limits of our historical perspective on childbirth and its culturally bound rites, and to demonstrate an emotionally

British-Irish Isles Health / Health care / Healing Family / Kinship Children / Young people

[the-boy-from-allison-street--Film-image]

The Boy From Allison Street 1998 30‘

Directed by Caroline Allward .

Wayne has left school, sweet 16, disillusioned, with no qualifications. He is briefly distracted by Becka, the girl next door, and the discovery of his father’s porno movie. But all he really wants

British-Irish Isles Children / Young people Love

[the-bracewells--Film-image]

The Bracewells 2000 49‘

Directed by Amanda Ravetz .

In the late 1990s, when BSE (also known as "Mad Cow Disease") was conclusively linked to the fatal brain disorder vCJD, a number of British farmers went out of business whilst others faced

British-Irish Isles Rural Agriculture / Farming Animals

[cae-dai-a-home-from-home--Film-image]

Cae Dai – a Home From Home 1997 30‘

Directed by Will Grove-White .

After the closure of the North Wales psychiatric hospital in the late 1980s, Sparrow Harrison opened his family home to local people suffering from mental illness. This film explores the humour,

British-Irish Isles Health / Health care / Healing Alternative culture

[counterpoint-botswana--Film-image]

Counterpoint Botswana 2011 45‘

Directed by Richard Werbner .

Seeing ‘Holy Hustler’, the 2009 film made in Botswana, local viewers respond and discuss it with the filmmaker Richard Werbner in 2011. ‘Counterpoint Botswana’ captures the reception by home

British-Irish Isles Reflexivity

[counterpoint-one--Film-image]

Counterpoint One 2011 37‘

Directed by Richard Werbner .

The first in the Forum Follies series, ‘Counterpoint One’ pitches the ethnographic filmmaker Richard Werbner into debate with audiences for his film ‘Holy Hustlers’ (2009), from a rough to a final

British-Irish Isles Reflexivity

[counterpoint-two--Film-image]

Counterpoint Two 2011 45‘

Directed by Richard Werbner .

The second in the ‘Forum Follies’ series, ‘Counterpoint Two’ pitches the ethnographic filmmaker Richard Werbner into debate with audiences for his film ‘Encountering Eloyi’ (2008), from a rough to a

British-Irish Isles Reflexivity

[cultivating-death--Film-image]

Cultivating Death 2003 23‘

Directed by Martin Gruber .

Cemeteries are not only places for the dead. They are also spaces in which the living interact with each other – and with the dead. “Cultivating Death” depicts the different ways in which

British-Irish Isles Death Ritual

[the-daring-young-girl-on-the-flying-trapeze--Film-image]

The Daring Young Girl on the Flying Trapeze 2020 27‘

Directed by Nina Ross .

As a child, Nancy Willis dreamt of joining the circus, longing for freedom and adventure. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and told she would not live beyond her twenties, the now 65-year-old artist

British-Irish Isles Art/ Artists/ Artisans Personal Narrative Health/ Health care/ Healing Life Story/ Life History

[a-donation-to-the-museum--Film-image]

A Donation to the Museum 2015 25‘

Directed by Teri F. Brewer .

Human remains from the California Channel Islands were donated to an English city museum nearly a century ago. More recently research began into how they came to be there, and whose remains they

North America Western Europe Archaeology Archival material / Museum displays

[drive-it-crash-it-paint-it--Film-image]

Drive it, Crash it, Paint it 2002 26‘

Directed by James Bolchover .

Kelzo grew up in Hulme and has been writing on walls, wrecked cars and other urban surfaces since 1984. But now that he is a ‘graffiti artist’ whose work is sold in galleries, is he still in touch with his roots?

British-Irish Isles Personal Narrative Alternative culture Art / Artists / Artisans

[eco-trip--Film-image]

Eco trip 1997 30‘

Directed by Rachel Robertson .

A group of eco-activists travel around Britain attending festivals and other events aimed at raising awareness of ecological issues and of new, alternative ways of living. But sometimes relationships

British-Irish Isles Alternative culture Environment

[every-good-marriage-begins-with-tears--Film-image]

Every Good Marriage Begins With Tears 2007 63‘

Directed by Simon Chambers .

East London Muslim girl Shahanara is changing form pink hot pants into a sari to meet her husband at the airport. She has only met him once before, when she was married in a union arranged by her

London Family / Kinship Gender Role and Identity Marriage Intergenerational relations Social Norms

[faces-voices--Film-image]

Faces Voices 2018 18‘

Directed by Paul Basu Christopher Thomas Allen .

The film complicates any simple reading of a colonial photographic archive from Southern Nigeria and Sierra Leone that was collected between 1909 and 1915. Through a collaborative creative effort

West Africa British-Irish Isles Archival material / Museum displays Colonialism / Postcolonialism Race / Racism / Antiracism

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Fighting for Control 1998 30‘

Directed by Alexia Coppe .

An unconventional household of two women and five children in South London, attempting to leave a difficult past behind, and build a happy future.

British-Irish Isles Family / Kinship

[firth-on-firth--Film-image]

Firth on Firth 1993 49‘

Directed by Rolf Husmann Peter Loizos Werner Sperscheinder .

In a series of interviews in his London home and the London School of Economics, Sir Raymond Firth talks about his life and some of his personal views. The film focuses thus on his Maori studies,

British-Irish Isles History of Anthropology Public Figure

[fish-have-feelings-too--Film-image]

Fish Have Feelings Too 2001 23‘

Directed by Tom Rice .

For Jack and Stan, two men from Manchester, koi carp have become something more than an obsession. Not only have their pets become a source of fame and distinction, but of affection and mutually

British-Irish Isles Animals

[for-the-love-of-the-game--Film-image]

For The Love of the Game 2010 24‘

Directed by Birgitta H. Anttila .

Hurling is a game combining skill, speed and strength. Players – even at the highest levels – are amateurs, but still spend hours on training. Through the encounter with hurler Shane Dooley, we learn

British-Irish Isles Sport

[fragments-from-the-past--Film-image]

Fragments from the Past 2006 27‘

Directed by Vedide Kaymak Hakan Demiralay .

In the days before DVD and satellite television, the cinema was important to London’s Turkish speaking population as a place to meet and as a link with home. Eight individuals recount their

British-Irish Isles Popular Culture Migration Film / Photography / Mass media

[the-guga-hunters-of-ness--Film-image]

The Guga Hunters of Ness 2010 59‘

Directed by Mike Day .

This film follows a vanishing community’s beloved and unique tradition. The Gaelic speakers of Lewis and Scotland are the only people in the EU exempt from a ban on hunting gannets, but they are

Western Europe Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Animals Ritual

[heart-of-the-village--Film-image]

Heart of the Village 1985 52‘

Directed by Toni de Bromhead .

The second film of the Caught in the Web trilogy, which compares and contrast aspects of life in a Dorset community in the Bride Valley and a French village in Provence, Villes-sur-Auzon,

Western Europe British-Irish Isles Rural Socioeconomic conditions

[hold-me-tight-let-me-go--Film-image]

Hold Me Tight Let Me Go 2007 99‘

Directed by Kim Longinotto .

*The main reason I wanted to shoot is that when the kids misbehave, the teachers don’t punish them but try to find out why they are acting in such a way. The driving idea behind the school is to

British-Irish Isles Children / Young people Education / Knowledge Transmission Health / Health care / Healing

[home-from-the-hill--Film-image]

Home from the Hill 1984 60‘

Directed by Molly Dineen .

Anthropology’s relationship with colonialism has been discussed widely. Yet the ethnography of the colonial service remains largely unexplored on film. This entertaining documentary shows, not

British-Irish Isles Colonialism / Postcolonialism

[hulme-homes-for-hulme-people--Film-image]

Hulme Homes for Hulme People 1992 23‘

Directed by Aunund Austena .

Summer ’92 and Hulme, a densely populated and culturally diverse area of inner city Manchester, is being demolished for the second time in 30 years, this time in consultation with local residents and

British-Irish Isles Urban

[in-search-of-home--Film-image]

In Search of Home 2000 30‘

Directed by Julie Moggan .

The Shabani family have been living in Manchester as refugees and are homesick for Kosovo. Feeling increasingly unwelcome in Britain, they return home to confront the nightmares of their recent past,

South-East Europe Refugees / Displaced populations Children / Young people War / Conflict / Reconciliation

[john-the-eel-trapper--Film-image]

John the Eel Trapper 1982 28‘

Directed by Toni de Bromhead .

The fens of East Anglia provide the scenery for this documentary. At the centre of the film is John, a solitary character, who makes his living by trapping eels in the numerous canals of the area.

British-Irish Isles Animals Hunting / Gathering / Fishing

[journey-into-europe--Film-image]

Journey into Europe 2015 122‘

Directed by Akbar Ahmed .

In Journey into Europe, Akbar Ahmed, a world-renowned anthropologist, Islamic scholar, and filmmaker who the BBC has called “the world’s leading authority on contemporary Islam,” explores Islam

Central Europe Western Europe South-East Europe History Religion / Belief / Faith Collective / Community identity

[the-land-on-which-we-stand--Film-image]

The Land on which We Stand 2007 31‘

Directed by Becky Payne .

This film is a glimpse into the life of the Landmatters Co-operative, a community of 11 adults and 4 children living in benders and yurts in rural Devon as they develop a permaculture project. The 42

British-Irish Isles Rural Alternative culture

[lessons-from-gulam--Film-image]

Lessons from Gulam 1986 52‘

Directed by John Baily .

A detailed study of musical enculturation within the Asian community of Bradford in northern England. Gulam Musa is the principal character and he is shown as a teacher and as a musician. The film

British-Irish Isles Music / Ethnomusicology Education / Knowledge Transmission

[life-as-we-know-it--Film-image]

Life as We Know it 1995 25‘

Directed by Alex Reed .

"It was Star Trek that brought us together". John and Pauline are to be wed beyond the Final Frontier at a Star Trek convention in Manchester. Among the guests are Klingons and Hollywood stars.

British-Irish Isles Popular Culture Marriage

[lifelibrary--Film-image]

Lifelibrary 2007 22‘

Directed by Amanda Hill .

Library spacescape. quiet, history, dreams, wisdom, structure, anomaly, affection, preservation, creation, galaxies, distraction and contemplation. An exploration of a changing world withinwithout

British-Irish Isles Education / Knowledge transmission Archival material / Museum displays

[living-through-things--Film-image]

Living Through Things 2005 32‘

Directed by Anna Waddell .

Kristin, Mark and Bob collect things. The film explores attachment, possession and the way that objects inhabit their lives.

British-Irish Isles Material Culture

[mirror-mirror--Film-image]

Mirror Mirror 2006 58‘

Directed by Zemirah Moffat .

Mirror Mirror is based on an audio-visual ethnography of London’s queer Club Wotever. Begun in the autumn of 2003, it promoted itself as a club that welcomed all genders and sexualities – a

British-Irish Isles LGBTQI* Sex / Sexuality Gender Role and Identity

[the-most-wasted-of-all-days--Film-image]

The Most Wasted of All Days 2003 24‘

Directed by Nick Kirkwood .

A day without laughter is the most wasted of all days, according to veteran circus performer Jan Erik, a.k.a ‘Fips the Clown’. So when his back goes in the middle of the summer tour round Scotland,

British-Irish Isles Dance / Theatre / Performance

[a-new-kind-of-life--Film-image]

A New Kind of Life 1997 28‘

Directed by Emma Farrell .

How is someone’s life affected when faced with cancer? This film is a portrait of three people from Manchester, England, who have chosen to include complementary therapies as part of their daily coping strategies.

British-Irish Isles Health / Health care / Healing Alternative culture

[pepe--Film-image]

Pepe 2004 23‘

Directed by Juana Schlenker .

Pepe is a Spanish immigrant who came to England more than forty years ago to work as a waiter. After working in several restaurants and hotels, he retired two years ago and now he fills his days with

British-Irish Isles Migration Elderly people

[the-price-of-memory--Film-image]

The Price of Memory 2014 83‘

Directed by Karen Marks Mafundikwa .

In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II visited Jamaica for her Golden Julibee Celebrations. While there she was petitioned by a group of Rastafari for slavery reparations. For Rastafari, reparations are linked

Caribbean Islands British-Irish Isles Colonialism / Postcolonialism Political Activists

[pride-of-place-observations-of-lives-of-girls-at-a-public-school--Film-image]

Pride of Place – Observations of lives of girls at a Public School 1976 59‘

Directed by Dorothea Gazidis Kimona Landseer Kim Longinotto .

A rarely seen classic, PRIDE OF PLACE was made as a first project while Longinotto was a student at England’s National School of Television and Film. As a teenager, the filmmaker had been condemned

British-Irish Isles Children / Young people Education / Knowledge Transmission Gender Role and Identity

[raised-by-humans--Film-image]

Raised by Humans 2010 25‘

Directed by Karlia Campbell .

‘Raised by Humans’ follows two dogs with difficult life histories as volunteers from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals try to find families to adopt them in Stockport,

British-Irish Isles Animals Development projects

[shonar-bangla--Film-image]

Shonar Bangla 2009 28‘

Directed by Sara Asadullah .

Four scenes from a Bangladeshi community in London. Each scene is an encounter with a different generation (children, teenagers and adults) until the final scene where all generations are brought together in a wedding.

British-Irish Isles Intergenerational relations Marriage

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Southeast London Ethnography – Three Student Films: Anglesea Road; The Good Ol’ Days; Talk of Trade 2007 13‘

Directed by Elhum Shakerifar Ed Owles Jamie Taylor .

These 3 films on Southeast London were made by GCC college students who took a course in anthropology & film. ANGLESEA ROAD: Situated in Woolwich, South East London, Anglesea Road is a small

British-Irish Isles Urban

[steel-lives--Film-image]

Steel Lives 2005 45‘

Directed by Massimiliano Mollona .

The anthropologist spent several months working as unskilled labourer alongside Sheffield steelworkers at Morris for his PhD. This film is a look into the working lives of men who earn a living in

British-Irish Isles Labour Socioeconomic conditions Collective / Community identity

[still-life--Film-image]

Still Life 2009 26‘

Directed by Siobhan McGuirk .

“I am here because I can’t go home.” Subject to strict controls in the UK, three women asylum seekers wait for claims to be processed and decisions made. Here they find the lives which they

British-Irish Isles Refugees / Displaced populations Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy

[suspend-your-beliefs--Film-image]

Suspend your Beliefs 2004 29‘

Directed by Simone Clifford-Jaeger .

Suspension of the living body from hooks has been practiced in various cultural contexts and places in the past, but today forms part of a growing global interest in body modification. This film

British-Irish Isles Alternative culture

[talking-to-each-other--Film-image]

Talking to Each Other 1985 52‘

Directed by Toni de Bromhead .

The third film of the **Caught in the Web** trilogy, which compares and contrast aspects of life in a Dorset community in the Bride Valley and a French village in Provence, Villes-sur-Auzon,

Western Europe British-Irish Isles Rural Socioeconomic conditions

[theatre-girls--Film-image]

Theatre Girls 1979 57‘

Directed by Kim Longinotto Claire Pollack .

The “Theatre Girls Club” is a hostel for homeless, destitute and alcoholic women in Soho, London. It is run by six paid workers and it is the only hostel in London which takes any women at any

British-Irish Isles Squatter Settlements / Homelessness Socioeconomic conditions Gender Role and Identity

[the-thompsons--Film-image]

The Thompsons 1996 29‘

Directed by Andy Lawrence .

In 1996 the troubles in Northern Ireland continued to the sound of beating drums and marching feet. This is the story of a Protestant family in rural Ulster and their fight to remain British and free from Irish rule.

British-Irish Isles War / Conflict / Reconciliation

[two-ears-one-mouth--Film-image]

Two Ears, One Mouth 1999 25‘

Directed by Andy Benfield .

Duncan Williamson is of Traveller descent and lives in Scotland, Amy Douglas is fifty years younger and lives in Cheshire. But they share a love for telling stories and both manage to make a living

British-Irish Isles Travellers / Roma Art / Artists / Artisans

[a-village-heritage--Film-image]

A Village Heritage 1985 52‘

Directed by Toni de Bromhead .

The first of the **Caught in the Web** trilogy, which compares and contrast aspects of life in a Dorset community in the Bride Valley and a French village in Provence, Villes-sur-Auzon, Vauclause.

Western Europe British-Irish Isles Socioeconomic conditions Rural

[we-are-born-to-survive--Film-image]

We Are Born to Survive 1995 30‘

Directed by Paul Henley Paul Okojie .

A political biography of the activist Kath Locke, from Manchester’s Moss Side, based on an interview conducted by her political comrade Paul Okojie shortly before her death in 1992, aged 64.

British-Irish Isles Political Activists Race / Racism / Antiracism Public Figure

[why-wear-white--Film-image]

Why Wear White 1989 28‘

Directed by Sarah Cole .

The wedding industry in Britain is currently booming and many people find it necessary to have a long white dress, an old-fashioned car and other specially made details for their wedding. The film,

British-Irish Isles Marriage Social Norms

[worldwide-streetwise--Film-image]

Worldwide, Streetwise 2003 32‘

Directed by Naomi Richards .

A film that explores issues of faith and activism at a radical church in an ethnically and religiously diverse area of Leeds.

British-Irish Isles Religion / Belief / Faith Urban Political Activists

[sp2--Film-image]

[S+P2] 2010 30‘

Directed by Yasmin Samir-Shakir .

Following various members of The Forest Collective in the run-up to the ‘DIY’ arts space’s Tenth Birthday celebrations, we observe some of the internal and external struggles faced by this

British-Irish Isles Alternative culture Collective / Community identity

[a-good-day-in-sharnford-god-speed-the-plough--Film-image]

A good day in Sharnford. God Speed the Plough! 2010 14‘

Directed by Michele Trentini .

In the heart of Ye Olde England, the first Monday after the Epiphany is still “Plough Monday”, with the ritual parading of a decorated plough and the Morris Dance. This film is part of

British-Irish Isles Festivals / Carnival Folklore