Rentals
Sonic
Personal, powerful and lyrical, this is where music and film collide, a meeting place for rock biopics, probing documentaries, groundbreakers and old stagers.
Inspired by the hugely popular Sonic Cinema strand from the BFI London Film Festival and BFI Southbank.
KneecapKneecap
Drama2024105 minsDirector: Rich Peppiatt
Fantastically outlandish biopic about the anarchic Belfast rap trio and their fight to save the Irish language.
blur: To the Endblur: To the End
Documentary2024104 minsDirector: Toby L
Britpop legends Blur reunite for their biggest gig at Wembley Stadium, in this raw documentary steeped in nostalgia.
Sisters with TransistorsSisters with Transistors
Documentary202186 minsDirector: Lisa Rovner
The remarkable untold story of electronic music’s female pioneers, who embraced machines and their liberating technologies to transform how we produce and listen to music today.
Squaring the Circle The Story of HipgnosisSquaring the Circle The Story of Hipgnosis
Documentary2022101 minsDirector: Anton Corbijn
Celebrated photographer, filmmaker, and art director Anton Corbijn's homage to the creative geniuses behind the iconic album art design studio, Hipgnosis, responsible for some of the most recognisable album covers of all time.
SupersonicSupersonic
Documentary2016117 minsDirector: Mat Whitecross
Relive the stratospheric rise of the kings of Britpop in this rousing nostalgic trip from the producers of Amy.
WhitneyWhitney
Documentary2018120 minsDirector: Kevin Macdonald
Stunning revelations and captivating reminiscences paint a picture of the extraordinary life of singer Whitney Houston, in this in-depth portrait by acclaimed filmmaker Kevin MacDonald (Touching the Void, Marley).
EnnioEnnio
Documentary2021156 minsDirector: Giuseppe Tornatore
A definitive portrait of Ennio Morricone, the legendary composer responsible for some of the most memorable film scores of all time.
20 Feet from Stardom20 Feet from Stardom
Documentary201387 minsDirector: Morgan Neville
This moving documentary shines a spotlight on the backing singers behind some of the great musical hits of the 21st century.
White RiotWhite Riot
Documentary201981 minsDirector: Rubika Shah
Revolution rock! Rubika Shah’s vital documentary profiles punky reggae protest movement Rock Against Racism, from grassroots beginnings through to a major multicultural event.
Chi-RaqChi-Raq
Musical2015127 minsDirector: Spike Lee
Spike Lee’s bold and vivacious hip-hop musical restages an ancient Greek battle-of-the-sexes in 21st-century Chicago.
Laurent Garnier: Off the RecordLaurent Garnier: Off the Record
Documentary202193 minsDirector: Gabin Rivoire
Exhilarating documentary exploring the birth and rise of techno music through the eyes of one of its pioneers.
Wild RoseWild Rose
Drama2019101 minsDirector: Tom Harper
This delightful and infectiously joyous film finds a young woman balancing her dreams of being a country music star with the responsibilities of motherhood.
Poly Styrene: I Am A ClichéPoly Styrene: I Am A Cliché
Biopic202196 minsDirector: Paul Sng and Celeste Bell
The death of punk icon and X-Ray Spex frontwoman Poly Styrene sends her daughter on a journey through her mother’s archives in this intimate documentary.
Grace Jones: Bloodlight and BamiGrace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami
Documentary2017115 minsDirector: Sophie Fiennes
Grace Jones is laid bare in this intimate and electrifying insight into the fascinating world of a pop-cultural phenomenon.
The Big MeltThe Big Melt
Documentary201371 minsDirector: Martin Wallace
Jarvis Cocker and acclaimed director Martin Wallace's feature-length elegy to the men and women who toiled in Sheffield's steelworks is a hymn to Britain's proud industrial past.
Blinded by the LightBlinded by the Light
Comedy2019118 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha
In 1987 during the austere days of Thatcher's Britain, a teenager learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.
Song of GraniteSong of Granite
Biopic201797 minsDirector: Pat Collins
A formally audacious account of the life and times of traditional Irish folk singer Joe Heaney, combining ‘fictional’ drama, documentary footage and musical sequence
BabymotherBabymother
Musical199877 minsDirector: Julian Henriques
Neeta and her crew rise to dancehall fame in North West London's Caribbean community, in the first Black British musical.
Sing StreetSing Street
Drama2016106 minsDirector: John Carney
The third in John Carney’s trilogy of musical films is the utterly charming story a boy who escapes his troubles through fronting a pop band.
Keyboard FantasiesKeyboard Fantasies
Documentary201960 minsDirector: Posy Dixon
After his 1986 album Keyboard Fantasies is rediscovered, a black trans musician recounts his life, from the lonely 1960s to the joy of witnessing the present.
On the RecordOn the Record
Documentary202097 minsDirector: Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering
A searing exploration of the costs of coming forward, turning up the volume on one of the biggest #MeToo stories in the music industry.
20,000 Days on Earth20,000 Days on Earth
Documentary201493 minsDirector: Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
The myths and minutiae of musician Nick Cave are explored in the course of this fictional portrait, following 24 hours in the life of a cultural icon.
Bros: After the Screaming StopsBros: After the Screaming Stops
Documentary201897 minsDirector: David Soutar
Matt and Luke Goss take on the big screen – and each other – in this candid documentary charting the reunion of 80s pop sensations Bros; an affectionate portrait that generates more than a touch of Spinal Tap-esque hilarity.
The Man from Mo'WaxThe Man from Mo'Wax
Documentary2018116 minsDirector: Matthew Jones
The exhilarating, no holds-barred story of Mo'Wax records founder James Lavelle, one of the most enigmatic yet influential figures in British music culture.
Searching for Sugar ManSearching for Sugar Man
Documentary201286 minsDirector: Malik Bendjelloul
The BAFTA and Oscar-winning documentary sensation uncovers the mystery behind Sixto Rodriguez, a forgotten musical hero of apartheid-era South Africa.
The Music MachineThe Music Machine
Drama197990 minsDirector: Ian Sharp
Get Saturday night fever - North London style - with Patti Boulaye and Gerry Sundquist in this bubbly British disco drama.
FrankFrank
Comedy201495 minsDirector: Lenny Abrahamson
Michael Fassbender is the man inside the papier-mâché head, in this fictionalised reimagining of the story of northern entertainer Frank Sidebottom.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: CodaRyuichi Sakamoto: Coda
Documentary2017101 minsDirector: Stephen Schible
A graceful, intimate study of the legendary Japanese musician, composer, actor, writer and activist.
Wild WestWild West
Comedy199384 minsDirector: David Attwood
Defying opposition from his conservative Pakistani family, Zaf Ayub dreams of becoming Southall's greatest gift to country & western.
Amazing GraceAmazing Grace
Documentary201989 minsDirector: Alan Elliott and Sydney Pollack
Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, returns to the music which nurtured her prodigious talent.
Jimi All Is by My SideJimi All Is by My Side
Biopic2013118 minsDirector: John Ridley
OutKast’s André Benjamin stars as Jimi Hendrix on the cusp of greatness, honing his act in Swinging London, in this revealing and alternative take on the rock biopic.
BeatsBeats
Drama2018101 minsDirector: Brian Welsh
Best mates Johnno and Spanner head out for one last night of raving together before Johnno’s family move away, in this bittersweet coming-of-age ode to '90s subculture.
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowanCrock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan
Documentary2020124 minsDirector: Julien Temple
Julien Temple’s sometimes celebratory, sometimes sobering profile of The Pogues famed frontman.
Cleo and JohnCleo and John
198255 minsDirector: Vernon Lawrence
Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth cook up red hot jazz together live on stage, chat about married life together, and recall lengthy musical careers.
JugniJugni
Drama2016110 minsDirector: Shefali Bhushan
Exuberant Hindi romance about a composer searching for a golden voice, who unexpectedly falls for a vibrant younger performer.
Pulp: A Film about Life, Death and SupermarketsPulp: A Film about Life, Death and Supermarkets
Documentary201490 minsDirector: Florian Habicht
Jarvis and co’s farewell concert is captured in Florian Habicht’s affectionate and intriguing documentary, which also acts as a profile of Pulp’s home city of Sheffield and its residents.
Some PeopleSome People
Drama196290 minsDirector: Clive Donner
Cult 1960s musical drama about a leather boy who forms a Shadows-style guitar band.
The Stone Roses: Made of StoneThe Stone Roses: Made of Stone
Performance201396 minsDirector: Shane Meadows
Avid Stone Roses fan Shane Meadows records the reunion of the pivotal 1990s rock band, in this heartfelt and inspiring documentary
On the RoadOn the Road
Drama-documentary2017121 minsDirector: Michael Winterbottom
Michael Winterbottom’s sexy and idiosyncratic tour film follows 2018 Mercury Prize winners Wolf Alice, merging thrilling live footage with a fictional backstage romance.
Only Lovers Left AliveOnly Lovers Left Alive
Romance2014123 minsDirector: Jim Jarmusch
Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton star as ageless, blood-drinking lovers in Jim Jarmusch’s clever, funny and sexy vampire tale.
We Are the Best!We Are the Best!
Drama201398 minsDirector: Lukas Moodysson
A raucous coming-of-age comedy about three schoolgirls who form a punk band in 1982 Stockholm, from director Lukas Moodysson (Show Me Love).
Hit So HardHit So Hard
Documentary2011103 minsDirector: P. David Ebersole
Patty Schemel, one-time drummer of grunge band Hole, recounts her turbulent years on tour with the band, piecing together a compelling tale of rock and roll excess, and the personal story of one woman’s survival.
Whitney: Can I Be MeWhitney: Can I Be Me
Documentary2017101 minsDirector: Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal
Documentary titan Nick Broomfield turns his gaze to the troubled pop star whose sensational voice masked an inner identity crisis.
The Possibilities Are EndlessThe Possibilities Are Endless
Documentary201483 minsDirector: Edward Lovelace and James Hall
A moving and haunting account of singer Edwyn Collins’s long and difficult recovery from a stroke.
How to Build a GirlHow to Build a Girl
Drama2019104 minsDirector: Coky Giedroyc
Beanie Feldstein stars as a young rock journalist in this coming-of-age comedy, based on the novel by Caitlin Moran.
Pop PiratesPop Pirates
Action and Adventure198458 minsDirector: Jack Grossman
Home taping almost kills music as a schoolboy band's dreams of talent show glory may be scuppered by video piracy.
I Used To Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl StoryI Used To Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story
Documentary201893 minsDirector: Jessica Leski
A glitter-covered, cross-generational love letter to boybands and the girls who love them that will have you bopping along.
KanarieKanarie
Drama2018124 minsDirector: Christiaan Olwagen
A Boy George-obsessed smalltown boy joins the South African Defence Force army choir, in this quirky Apartheid-era musical drama.
Inside Llewyn DavisInside Llewyn Davis
Drama2013100 minsDirector: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
The Coen brothers’ funny, melancholic elegy to early 1960s folk music follows a struggling songwriter through a winter’s worth of misdeeds, mishaps and lost cats.
GüerosGüeros
Drama2014111 minsDirector: Alonso Ruizpalacios
A teenager is banished to his brother in Mexico City, from where a road trip is planned to track down an elusive musician.
VS.VS.
Drama201899 minsDirector: Ed Lilly
A foster teen channels his rage into rap in Ed Lilly’s urgent freestyling drama.
The Optimists of Nine ElmsThe Optimists of Nine Elms
Drama1973106 minsDirector: Anthony Simmons
Peter Sellers is superb in a warm, wistful family drama, in which two Battersea kids forge an unlikely alliance with a faded music hall star.
Midnight BreaksMidnight Breaks
1988113 minsDirector: Laurens C. Postma
Big Audio Dynamite’s Don Letts made his acting debut in this gripping, gritty 1990 drama of dreads, drugs, and music business corruption.
All Night LongAll Night Long
Drama196291 minsDirector: Basil Dearden
Othello is transposed to the 1960s Soho jazz scene as a malevolent drummer sows mistrust between husband-and-wife jazz luminaries.
ControlControl
Biopic2007122 minsDirector: Anton Corbijn
The life story of Ian Curtis, the tortured singer of Joy Division who suffered epilepsy and crippling self-doubt, filmed in stunning monochrome.
England Is MineEngland Is Mine
Biopic201794 minsDirector: Mark Gill
A deeply insecure young Morrissey dreams of escaping drudgery but seeks the confidence to bloom, in this captivating account of The Smiths' genesis.
Mystify: Michael HutchenceMystify: Michael Hutchence
Documentary2019102 minsDirector: Richard Lowenstein
Capturing his rise to super-stardom and subsequent tragic fall, Mystify gives remarkable insight into INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence and a truth he took to the grave.
ExtremesExtremes
Documentary197181 minsDirector: Anthony Klinger and Michael Lytton
In-your-face 70s documentary exploring the lives of Hell's Angels, hippies, skinheads, rudeboys, mods and drug addicts.
I've Gotta HorseI've Gotta Horse
Musical196592 minsDirector: Kenneth Hume
Great British rock and roller Billy Fury buys himself a racehorse in this colourful musical for all the family.
Oh Boy!Oh Boy!
195925 minsDirector: Rita Gillespie
Rock ‘n’ roll fuels Jack Good’s groundbreaking music TV show, with songs by Billy Fury, Cliff Richard and Marty Wilde.
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