Rentals

South Asian Britain on Film

Discover a rich history reaching back over a century as we celebrate South Asian communities and culture across Britain.

From local news to feature film, through home movies and TV documentaries, this collection showcases South Asian Britons in front of and behind the camera. The contribution of colonial troops is illuminated through the earliest newsreels, while hardhitting current affairs programmes highlight the struggles faced in the 1960s, 1970s and beyond. Public information films produced for South Asian audiences feature alongside Hindi-language films made in Britain and interviews with prominent Asian-British figures. A bold wave of British Asian filmmaking in the 1990s is represented through early works by the likes of Gurinder Chadha and Asif Kapadia.

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.

Rent for £2.50

A Private EnterpriseA Private Enterprise

Drama197572 minsDirector: Peter K. Smith

The trials and tribulations of Shiv, a South Asian entrepreneur trying to set up a business in industrial Birmingham

Rent for £3.50

Brothers in TroubleBrothers in Trouble

Drama1996103 minsDirector: Udayan Prasad

Udayan Prasad's perceptive 1995 drama follows Amir (Pavan Malhotra), a Pakistani immigrant living in England and adjusting to his new life - including meeting an Irish girl who moves into his boarding house.

Rent for £3.50

All in Good TimeAll in Good Time

Comedy201294 minsDirector: Nigel Cole

A pair of newlyweds endure a honeymoon staying with the groom's parents in a comedy from East Is East writer Ayub Khan-Din.

Rent for £3.50

Welcome to BritainWelcome to Britain

Documentary197673 minsDirector: Ben Lewin

Ben Lewin’s 1976 film captures a moment in Britain's evergreen immigration debate, focusing on new arrivals at Heathrow as they wrestle with immigration law.

Rent for £3.50

My Pure LandMy Pure Land

Drama201798 minsDirector: Sarmad Masud

Britain's 2018 submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar was this Pakistan-shot western with a feminist twist, centring on a bitter land dispute between an extended family.

Currently unavailable

Bride & PrejudiceBride & Prejudice

Musical2004107 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha

Gurinder Chadha’s Bollywood retelling of Austen’s classic romance is an all-round joy, adding colour and song to Austen’s evergreen wit.

Watch for free

Oh for the Wings of a DoveOh for the Wings of a Dove

Documentary197228 mins Location: Balsall Heath

The vibrancy of rural Pakistan is transported to Balsall Heath, Birmingham in this intimate family portrait.

Rent for £3.50

East Is EastEast Is East

Comedy199997 minsDirector: Damien O'Donnell

Damien O'Donnell's charming comedy-drama about Zaheed Khan (Om Puri), the patriarch of a Pakistani-British family whose children begin to reject their heritage and embrace UK life.

Rent for £3.50

Bhaji on the BeachBhaji on the Beach

Comedy1994101 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha

Gurinder Chadha's charming and critically acclaimed comedy about a group of British Asian women from Birmingham who bond during a day-trip to Blackpool.

Rent for £3.50

Bend it Like BeckhamBend it Like Beckham

Sport2002112 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha

Gurinder Chadha’s smash hit about an Asian girl with an undying love for football.

Currently unavailable

Viceroy's HouseViceroy's House

Drama2017106 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha

Gurinder Chadha channels David Lean for this sweeping romance set during the last days of the Raj, with Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson as Lord and Lady Mountbatten.

Rent for £3.50

The WarriorThe Warrior

Crime200287 minsDirector: Asif Kapadia

Irfan Khan stars in this stately swordplay epic from director Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna) which earned critical comparisons with Kurosawa.

Rent for £3.50

Diego MaradonaDiego Maradona

Documentary2019124 minsDirector: Asif Kapadia

The supreme football superstar is the latest subject for acclaimed filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna), as he deftly explores the complicated dynamic between Diego the man and Maradona the icon.