Peaky Blinders is a crime drama TV show set in Birmingham, England, in the aftermath of World War I. It follows the Shelby crime family led by Tommy Shelby as they navigate the world of gangsters, corruption, and violence in their pursuit of power and wealth. The show explores themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of the Shelby's criminal activities.
Crossroads is a British television soap opera set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England. Created by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling, the commercial ITV network originally broadcast the series between 1964 and 1988. Produced by ATV and later by Central it became a byword for cheap production values, particularly in the 1970s and early 1980s. The series was revived in a glossier version by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again cancelled in 2003. The original theme tune was composed by Tony Hatch, and notably covered by Paul McCartney & Wings on their 1975 album Venus and Mars. A new version, which was first aired in 1987 when the series was relaunched as Crossroads, Kings Oak, was composed by Raf Ravenscroft and Max Early.
Doctors is a drama TV show set in a British hospital, following the lives of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. It explores their personal and professional struggles, as well as their relationships with patients and each other. The show delves into the challenges of working in the medical field, while also touching on family-life and the various dynamics within a hospital environment.
In 'Boon,' a private investigator in Nottingham named Ken Boon decides to make a career change. The series is set in the 1980s and follows Boon's new adventures as he takes on different cases and faces various challenges in his unconventional new profession. With a mix of comedy, crime, and drama, 'Boon' offers an entertaining glimpse into the life of a private investigator and explores the unique circumstances that arise during his career change.
Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' adaptation of Jonathon Coe's novel follow a group of Birmingham teenagers, and their families, through the 1970s.
Citizen Khan is a comedy TV show that follows the life of Mr. Khan, a self-proclaimed community leader and 'Citizen Khan'. He tries to balance his role as a family man, his love for cricket, and his attempts to impress the members of the local mosque. With a laugh track and a long-suffering wife, Mr. Khan navigates through humorous situations that often highlight elements of Pakistani culture and satirize life in Birmingham, England.
Tolkien follows the formative years of the renowned author J.R.R. Tolkien, as he finds inspiration for his iconic fantasy novels amidst the horrors of World War I.
In Felicia's Journey, a young woman named Felicia embarks on a journey to find her boyfriend, who has gone missing. Along the way, she meets a man named Hilditch, who offers her help and companionship. However, Felicia soon realizes that Hilditch is not who he seems, and she finds herself in a dangerous situation. As the story unfolds, Felicia must confront her fears and make difficult choices in order to survive.
In 'I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle', a man purchases a motorbike unaware that it is possessed by a vampire. Chaos ensues as he tries to deal with the supernatural powers of the bike and its murderous impulses. With the help of his friends, he must find a way to stop the motorcycle before it causes more mayhem.
Ray & Liz is a drama movie set in 1980s Birmingham. It portrays the struggles of a working-class family dealing with alcoholism, child neglect, and the harsh realities of life in a council estate. The story revolves around Ray and Liz, their troubled relationship, and their neglected children. The movie takes a raw and gritty approach to depict the harshness of their lives, leaving a lasting impact on the viewers.
Privilege (1967) is a satirical comedy-drama film that follows Steven Shorter, a popular pop star who becomes a symbol of mass popularity and is used by the government for propaganda purposes. As Steven's fame grows, he becomes increasingly disillusioned and starts to question the totalitarian society he lives in. The film explores themes of celebrity culture, individuality, and the consequences of privilege. With elements of British new wave cinema, Privilege offers a thought-provoking commentary on the society of the time.
An ambitious Indian university graduate has to struggle to live his entrepreneurial dreams against both the British social structure and his own family's stubborn traditional values.
1 Day takes place over the course of one day in Birmingham, England. The film follows multiple interconnected storylines that revolve around crime, prison, and the struggles of people living in the city's neighborhoods.
Ben never knew his father; he was killed in 9/11 when Ben was just a baby. Eleven years later, Ben goes to spend the summer with his grandparents, hanging out with Priti, the girl next door, and his wayward cousin, Jed. Priti is a livewire and a Muslim who gradually begins to suspect her older brother is a terrorist. The trio set out to investigate and uncover more than they expected in this family film.
Bhaji on the Beach is a comedy-drama movie that follows a group of Indian women from Birmingham who go on a day trip to Blackpool. As they enjoy the beach and amusement park, they also face personal challenges including domestic violence, interracial relationships, and unwanted pregnancies. Through their journey, they find strength, friendship, and self-empowerment.
The tale of two women: Sandra, an ambitious but naive Birmingham working girl who moves to London with the hope of securing wealthier patrons, and Louise, her social worker friend, who is fighting to change the antiquated and hypocritical prostitution laws. As both strive to achieve their goals, a cold dose of reality dashes their hopes, and the built-in biases against women in society are unmasked.
The Black Audio Film Collective’s acclaimed essay film, 'Handsworth Songs', examines the 1985 race riots in Handsworth and London. Interweaving archival photographs, newsreel clips, and home movie footage, the film is both an exploration of documentary aesthetics and a broad meditation social and cultural oppression through Britain’s intertwined narratives of racism and economic decline.
2011 saw the largest wave of disorder in the UK since the 1980s. This revelatory film hears from the people who experienced the riots up close and personal. A decade on, we look back at the summer of 2011 through the eyes of those whose lives have never been the same since. In a series of candid interviews, we hear the story from all angles. Convicted rioters, frontline police, a judge, a government advisor and a grieving father look back at that week in August, and the years that followed, to piece together what really happened and why.
An engineering feat: Second city civil engineers complete a new bridge to carry traffic over New Street's tangled railway intersections.