This film is part of Free
Where the Houses Used to Be
"They're building flats where the houses used to be". A sobering look at Battersea's Doddington and Rollo estate - home to 7,000 people.
Overview
"They're building flats where the houses used to be". 'Flat' might as well be a dirty word in this sobering documentary on Battersea's Doddington and Rollo estate - a vast, high-density development built by Wandsworth Borough Council in the late 60s to house some 7,000 people. Refreshingly, the commentary comes entirely from the mouths of the residents themselves: young mothers, working fathers, elderly women, teenagers and children, who discuss their experiences, particularly the issue of loneliness and isolation.
The film was made in 1971 when the estate was still being developed. Just one year later, the tenants' association complained that Doddington was rapidly deteriorating. As one young female resident puts it: "I don't think I'd give these places 20 or 30 years before they become slums. I think I'd give it two or three years, the way they're going at the moment".
Related
Morgan's Wall Morgan's Wall
Documentary 1978 51 mins Location: Battersea
Murals around London, notably Morgan's Wall in Battersea, painted by local artists.
Olympic Lassies Olympic Lassies
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Battersea
On your marks, get set, go! Women athletes in training at Battersea Park, London.
Battersea Park (Fun Palace outtakes) Battersea Park (Fun Palace outtakes)
Amateur film 1963 3 mins Silent Location: Battersea
A roller-coaster, lawn bowls and international sculpture exhibition are all covered in this short film from Battersea Park, with the power station puffing in the background.
Afternoon in the Clouds Afternoon in the Clouds
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Battersea
Silent-film actress Sybil de Bray and pals take to the skies over Battersea
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.