The North West Film Archive presents "Long Live Our England"

Another chance to catch this special archive film screening that returns by popular demand after its premiere at HOME in 2023.

“People can say I’m fine because I’m on a television film. But my reason for doing this is to tell the public, the white majority, what blacks think of the society and what we want to do in the society and what we’d like to see society doing for us. And that’s my main reason to be here.” (Prince Kaba)

In 1972, BBC North West broadcast ‘Long Live Our England’, a three-part series that looked at the experiences of West Indian families who had come to Britain in search of a better life, especially those who were building their lives in Moss Side and Old Trafford.

Covering a wide range of subjects from the reasons behind immigration to themes such as employment, education and discrimination, this ground-breaking series brought black voices and perspectives to TV audiences across the UK.

Over fifty years on, award-winning filmmaker, producer and broadcaster Karen Gabay introduces extracts from these programmes, UHD-remastered by the North West Film Archive, plus the follow-up film Strangers Yet (1982), in which the original participants were invited back to reflect on what had changed for them ten years after the original series. Karen will lead an audience discussion after the screening, including contributions from some of the original participants.

Some comments from the 2023 event:

“Brilliant show”

“Excellent, nostalgic and thought-provoking”

“Very very good! It’s important to share these real stories”

“This is a fantastic set of films and captures a time in history. Really interesting, moving and emotional”

“Amazing, wonderful experience. Priceless footage remastered and shared. Brought back the emotion.”

“A very relevant time to show this film – I feel that I have been educated, enlightened and remain hopeful, despite much more needing to be done”

“Wonderful screening that meant a lot to so many people”

This event is organised by the North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University. Thanks to BBC Archive Services for giving permission to show these films.

Please note that the programmes were made in 1972 and 1982 and reflect the language and social attitudes of their time.

The screening will take place in the cinema at SODA on the Manchester Metropolitan campus. For more information, please contact the North West Film Archive on either n.w.filmarchive@mmu.ac.uk or 0161 247 3097.