The Derby 1895

Lord Roberts Leaving For South Africa

An actuality and reportage film. This film captures Lord Frederick Roberts (British Army rank Field Marshal) departing England for South Africa on 23rd December 1899, where he commanded British forces for a year in the Second Boer War. The ship in this film is the RMS Dunottar Castle. Going with Roberts is his chief of staff, Lord Kitchener, whose future role as Secretary Of State for War during World War One awaits him. This film was produced and distributed by the Warwick Trading Company, a London based company at its peak at this time, involved in the majority of British films.The Warwick Trading Company specialised in travel, reportage and actuality films and had substantial catalogues. Charles Urban had taken over as managing director in 1897 and was in that role when this film was produced. According to the BFI programme entry, the company had a large amount of resources already in South Africa. This meant they could capture historic moments as part of its Boer War coverage.

Namibia: The Story of a German Colony

Germans colonized the land of Namibia, in southern Africa, during a brief period of time, from 1840 to the end of the World War I. The story of the so-called German South West Africa (1884-1915) is hideous; a hidden and silenced account of looting and genocide.

The Patagonian Bones

A group of Welsh settlers decided to emigrate to Argentine Patagonia in 1865. Among them, a woman named Catherine Roberts, her husband, and their three children. Aboard the ship Mimosa they arrived at the current Puerto Madryn, Chubut, on July 28, 1865. Catherine died on August 21 and was buried near the coast, but her traces were lost until 1995 when some bones were discovered by chance. Argentine scientists Silvia Dahinten, Julieta Gómez Otero and Fernando Coronato have been working for twenty years to determine if the remains found are those of Catherine. In 2015, the arrival in Puerto Madryn of a Welsh descendant of Catherine, and new scientific advances, allow us to confirm that the bones found in 1995 are those of Catherine.

Children playing with skipping rope

A group of children are encouraged to play in a park by two men. Some play a skipping game. One of the other children refuses and eventually runs away. Another child is fascinated by the camera and stares at it throughout, even when encouraged by one of the men to play. IN the background, traffic passes and pedestrians stroll past behind a railing on an upper level. The children wear sunhats, indicating the weather is very sunny.

The Ground Under Our Feet

In a country facing the devastating effects of climate change, the Solomon Islands futsal team battles against the odds to reach the FIFA Futsal World Cup, with the goal of securing a future for their sport and their nation.

Japanese Dancers

Three sisters dance the Mikado in this very early film from the Edison company.

Tom Merry, Lightning Cartoonist, Sketching Kaiser Wilhelm II

A tiny fragment of an actuality film of Tom Merry (William Mechem), a 'lightning sketch' caricaturist performing his act for the camera and producing a large profile caricature of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The loss of the rest of the film has bequeathed us 6 seconds that are of Mechem standing next to the completed portrait and sadly, that is all there is. An early film made by Birt Acres for R.W. Paul. (see release information for further detail).

SOAR

Ellis Island, une histoire du rêve américain

In 1892, Ellis Island, in New York Bay, became the main gateway to the United States for immigrants arriving increasingly from Europe. The story of immigration to the United States from 1892 to 1954, an enthralling polyphonic narrative that embraces both small and great history.

Andre the Giant

An ambitious and wide-ranging documentary exploring Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE, and his forays in the entertainment world.

OL, at the heart of a thrilling season

How can a team go from last place to European qualification in just six months? Take a deep look behind the scenes of Olympique Lyonnais' 2023-2024 season, with behind-the-scenes sequences, match footage and interviews with key players.

The Russian Revolution

Starting in 1881 this film shows the personal battle between Lenin's Ulyanov family and the royal Romanovs that eventually led to the Russian revolution.

Renaud Lavillenie, all the way to the top

In 2014, in Donetsk, Renaud Lavillenie broke the pole vault world record held by the legendary Sergei Bubka. Since then, the French pole vaulter has become one of the world's greatest athletes. This summer, in Rio, he sets his sights on Olympic gold. His second, another record. Already present in Ukraine, Cédric Klapisch followed the champion in his preparation for over a year.

The Band Is on the Field

Shares never before told stories behind the most infamous play in college football.

Meeting Stone Cold

WWE Superstars and Legends recall their first impressions of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin; The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Booker T and others recount unforgettable moments and memories they shared with "The Texas Rattlesnake" over the last 30 years.