The other night I was invited over to BFI’s Watch This Space festival. After a long week, it was nice to unwind, chill and watch a few short films. Definitely not your average trip as you’re literally watching the space from BFI National Theatre’s flytower. As part of the theatre’s summer festival of outdoor entertainment, they teamed up with American Express for a celebration of the best film and entertainment throughout September. I chose to go on the Friday as the films on show were all about LONDON in the 50s.
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I got there around 7 and was treated to a complimentary mezze platter at the theatre’s Terrace Bar and Food before heading up to American Express Preferred Seating Balcony (They could have been a bit more creative with the name!) to peep a unique selection of short British films from the BFI’s national archive.
The films were projected outdoors on the Flytower which soars above the Thames. We got to enjoy an insight into a lost era in the city’s rich history, honestly loved it. A unique experience for someone like me, my family only moved here in the late 60s so the city was already a hell of a lot different by then.
The first few films gave us a sneakpeak into what the rush hour madness around Central London and South London were like back then. The others looked closely at South London, in particular Elephant & Castle and Lambeth were actually really nice places, look what’s happened to them in the last 50 years.
The last short film was my favourite! The film titled ‘We Are the Lambeth Boys‘ looks closely at what the youth culture was like back then and what they did for fun. Strangely enough clubs back then were more than just drinking and being on the pull. They were community centres were people came during the day to talk, play sports, read and converse. Then later on the music kicks in and they’ll start dancing. No daggering, British folk never created bashment. Well technically it wasn’t the last short film, left 3/4 way through it as it got COLD on that roof. Even the red blanket they provided us wasn’t warm enough.
Surprisingly the males featured in the film were way better dressed than the females – better hair styling and fashion sense. All of them were incredibly dapper with such well fitted tailored suits. I don’t even think I spotted one bad suit! For style inspiration, look back a few era’s. Iconic men’s style right there. Enjoy the photographs, our city has so rich in history!
UPDATE: I’ve actually found the film on YouTube. Added below, have a gander. I’m sure a lot of you have spare time on a Sunday.
I agree. We’ll never be able to have youth clubs like that around again. Just go look at the state of Kennington now – gun crime, muggings and drugs. Have we gone backwards?
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