This film is part of Free
Our Business Is Fun
Meet Futuristic Fred, the celebrated fairground artist from Streatham.
Overview
A filmic encounter with Futuristic Fred, Britain's most revered fairground artist. Captured at work decorating a ride in his studio in Streatham, London, Fred Fowle (1914-1983) pays tribute to the cinema posters, adverts and graphic novels that inspired his designs. His signature vibrant, three-dimensional style has been widely celebrated and chimes with the current resurgence of traditional steam-powered fairground rides.
Director Michael Whyte has worked prolifically in documentary and drama since the 1970s, making films which span an array of social issues. Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear (1974), also available on BFI Player, tackles domestic violence, while Catherine (1985) is a drama about the tragic story of a girl who died from anorexia. More recently, No Greater Love (2010) explored the quiet lives of Carmelite nuns in Notting Hill.
Related
Jumping over Tennis Net Jumping over Tennis Net
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
The grown-ups of the Passmore clan let out their inner children as they leap over a tennis net in this early home movie
Streatham Children's Pageant Streatham Children's Pageant
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
Time for Britannia to get off the bus - the Queen is coming to Streatham
Flying a Kite Flying a Kite
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
In the year the Wright Brothers made their first flight, an Edwardian family film themselves taking to the skies… sort of.
Silver Blades Ice Skating Silver Blades Ice Skating
Promotional 1963 7 mins Location: Streatham
Streatham goes dancing on ice at the coolest place in town.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.