I mentioned my son's films earlier. He and I have been working on a project for the past couple of years. My father was a bit of an amateur film-maker (home movie stuff really), and took some rather lovely films in the 1930s. A few years ago I had them all transferred to digital media and now we're presenting a condensed version of the highlights on Youtube. The film has been split into three parts, due to restrictions on Youtube:
Enjoy!
Navas, these are stunningly gorgeous - beautiful and poignant. I'm a bit lost for words - I have always loved old films like these, showing real people going about their lives, dancing, laughing, eating, whatever. The reality of the past, the reality of their lives just moves me. I'm really pleased to have found your blog (and noted no cobwebs at all).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna. It's always difficult to judge if something like this will be of more general interest. Until recently the films have mostly been shown to people who have family members among the group shown and it's understandable for them to find the films moving. This footage represents the 'highlights' of a much larger archive of film that we have from my father.
ReplyDeleteThe original film reels are now being taken care of by Screen Archive South East.
Whether something like this generates interest in someone whose relatives aren't in it depends to some extent on the person in question, I suppose. I love old films of "real" people, as I said, probably more than I care for cinema otherwise, but then that's me. But I also think you have some clips there that must be of general interest - the demonstrations in the East End (suddenly the name of the street escapes me), or the coronation procession, for instance. Well done for making this public, and also good that they are archived. I can see a lot of potential for all sorts of research work there.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. There has already been a newspaper article written by the son of one of my Dad's friends, inspired by the films and some of the footage was used in a documentary made for the 70th anniversary of the evacuation of the children from the Basque country ('The Guernica Children' directed by Steve Bowles).
ReplyDeleteThe demonstration was known as the Battle of Cable Street (1936).
I am very happy that these films are now being seen by a wider audience.
Ah yes, of course, Cable Street. I just couldn't remember it...I'll keep a look-out for the film you mention, Finnish tv buys quite a lot of documentaries from Britain so who knows. I would be surprised if your Dad's stuff didn't find its way to other doccies, too.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed them Sue :-)
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