
Free Time
From India to Jamaica, Nigeria to Hong Kong and beyond, over the decades film-makers have captured the rich diversity of the Commonwealth. This edition looks at free time.
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Buffalo Racing
Duration: 01:59
Filmography
Details of source films for main extracts used in the Free Time episode of Commonwealth on Film.
The Commonwealth Dances
British Movietone
20/9/1965
In Trafalgar Square and the Royal Albert Hall, a
spectacle of dance and music marks the beginning of the first Commonwealth
Festival of Arts. In Hyde Park a fireworks display designed by John Piper marks
the opening of the fortnight. Also featuring a ѿý News interview with
John Akar, director of the Sierra Leone group, on the controversy re the
country’s topless dancers.
The World About Us: Ogunde: Man of the Theatre
ѿý
07/09/1980
Film about Chief Hubert Ogunde, founder &
actor-manager of a Nigerian travelling theatre group.
Commonwealth Magazine: 2
ѿý
31/05/1955
From the ѿý’s monthly Commonwealth news magazine comes this
National Film Board of Canada story “Springtime in the Sugar Bush” –
featuring the maple groves at St. Alexander College, Ironside, Québec, a
popular spot when the sap begins to flow.
Commonwealth Magazine: 4
ѿý
23/08/1955
Featuring a Harvest dance from East Pakistan (now
Bangladesh) and Punjabi strolling players performing a Bhangra dance. From the
same edition, “Lusaka Calling”, a film on the Central African Broadcasting
Service of the short-lived Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Commonwealth Magazine:12
ѿý 16/05/1956
India – Realm of Sound: The work of All-India Radio,
including a lively and very ‘50s comedy-show recording.
Whicker's World: 1
ѿý
21/03/1959
In a piece originally shown on the "Tonight"
programme, gourmand roving reporter Alan Whicker visits a floating restaurant
in Hong Kong.
Television and the World
ѿý 31/10/1961
From this special programme surveying the impact of
television on the people of five continents, a look at pioneering Western
Nigeria Television, which began broadcasting in 1959.
Australia: Beyond theFatal Shore: Body and Soul
27/08/2000
From the landmark documentary series in which cultural
commentator Robert Hughes returned to Australia to assess the state of the
country – this extract takes us to the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras, the ultimate in
Aussie hedonism.
This is Ska
Jamaican Film Unit / Overseas Film
and TV 1964
Filmed on location in Kingston, Jamaica, this documentary
features the movers and shakers of this innovative music scene, and
demonstrates its wonderfully athletic dance steps.
June in Jamaica
Vista Production / Overseas Film and
TV 1961
The glamour and glitz of the Miss Jamaica beauty pageant, in
glorious 35mm colour.
Robinson's Travels: 2 Lucknow to the Hills
ѿý
19/12/1979
Robert Robinson takes part in the Lucknow Kite Flying
Association Tournament, and learns that in this joyous sport there’s a vicious
streak!
Commonwealth Fashion Show
British Pathe 1967
At London’s Marlborough House Princess Margaret enjoys a
feast of fashion from all corners of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Magazine: 14
ѿý 11/07/1956
Sport doesn’t get much more extreme than buffalo racing in
South Kanara in India.
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Executive Producer | Caroline Wright |
Producer | Elaine Shepherd |
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