This film is part of Free
A Safe Place to Be
Racism in Spitalfields reaches crisis point in the 70s as the National Front attack the local Bangladeshi community
Overview
This episode of Home from Home explores the history of racism in the East End, its roots and how it led to riots on Brick Lane in the late 70s when the National Front attacked the Bangladeshi community living there. Known as the Battle of Brick Lane, the attack was fuelled by the GLC’s ‘Ghetto Plan’ to house Bangladeshis in designated estates. Considered safer than areas such as Stepney and Mile End, Spitalfields became home to many Bangladeshis new to London. Living and working in very poor conditions they faced racism on a daily basis.
Related
The Bradford Godfather The Bradford Godfather
1976 49 mins Location: Bradford
Meet Mohamed Fazal Hussain, elder statesman and all-round Mr Fixit of Bradford's Muslim community, and a film mogul in the making...
I'm British But... I'm British But...
Documentary 1989 29 mins Director: Gurinder Chadha
Britain beats to the sound of Bhangra and Bangla in Gurinder Chadha's debut film.
The Referee The Referee
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1976 4 mins
Wrestling as a metaphor for race relations in this short aimed at Britain's South-Asian community
Asian Pub Landlord Asian Pub Landlord
News 1968 2 mins Location: Newbridge
Mr Dhanjal from Wolverhampton: custodian of one of the most vital positions in any community.
Oriental Atmosphere Oriental Atmosphere
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
Britain's oldest mosque welcomes a vast crowd of worshippers, visitors, curious onlookers and the odd newsreel camera!
Gandhi in England British Screen News No. 335 Gandhi in England British Screen News No. 335
Non-Fiction 1931 2 mins Silent
Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in England for the second India Round Table Conference at St James's Palace
Spitalfields Market Spitalfields Market
Amateur film 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Spitalfields
London's greengrocers celebrate with friends and family as well as members of the public in this film from 1966
Market Trends in the Year of Rising Prices Market Trends in the Year of Rising Prices
Amateur film 1969 8 mins Silent Location: Spitalfields
From Petticoat Lane to Portobello Road, London's street markets are always full of life.
Marriage of Miss Rose Carmel and Mr. Solly Gerschcowit Marriage of Miss Rose Carmel and Mr. Solly Gerschcowit
Non-Fiction 1925 3 mins Silent Location: Spitalfields
Follow the happy couple from the family shop on Brick Lane to a garden party serenaded by the San Diego Dance Band
Petticoat Lane Petticoat Lane
Non-Fiction 1903 3 mins Silent Location: Spitalfields
Join the Sunday morning crowds at the famous East End market, home of London's rag trade.
London's £2,000,000 Market London's £2,000,000 Market
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Spitalfields
Pomp and ceremony as the Lord Mayor lays the foundation stone for the extension of Spitalfields Market
Soup Kitchen Soup Kitchen
Amateur film 1934 4 mins Silent Location: Spitalfields
A rare glimpse inside the Soup Kitchen for the Jewish Poor in the East End during the early 1930s.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.