Film
Film-making is unique in its ability to transport viewers to different worlds providing insight into other people’s realities. The RAI has a long standing interest in ethnographic film and is keen to collaborate with organisations or individuals that use film as a means of engaging new audiences with anthropology.
Take a look at trailers of events and short films on the RAI's YouTube Channel.
Discover Anthropology Films
AN INTRODUCTION TO A-LEVEL ANTHROPOLOGY
A-level Anthropology was developed over five years by the Royal Anthropological Institute in collaboration with AQA. The subject is now being taught at a growing number of schools and colleges across Britain. This film explores the perceptions of teachers and students as to why they find anthropology such an engaging subject, and the skills and knowledge they've gained from the course.
The film was shot by Stephanie Beeston and Laurence Avis and produced by Nafisa Fera.
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DISCOVER ANTHROPOLOGY THROUGH STUDENT VOICES
Discover Anthropology Through Student Voices is a film which follows students exploration and understanding of anthropology. The film expresses student views on choosing anthropology at pre-university and undergraduate level, the skills they've gained from studying the subject and why they think anthropology is important for the 21st century.
The film was shot by Luke Moody and Pietro Passarelli and produced by Nafisa Fera.
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ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE WORLD
The Anthropology in the World Conference was held 8th-10th of June at the British Museum's Clore Centre.
The Conference was organised by the Royal Anthropological Institute in collaboration with the British Museum.
Anthropology in the World sought to explore the relevance and contribution of anthropology outside academia to fields such as health, education, law, media and business.
The event offered:
- an interface betweeen scholarship, applied anthropology and the wider workplace
- a platform for public engagement with the discipline
- a forum for social scientists, professionals and students to share their visions, experiences and expertise
- an opportunity to network with publishers, businesses and NGOs
- a chance to learn from a selection of ethnographic films, photographic exhibitions and displays
The event attracted over 450 international delegates.
The film was shot and edited by Laurence Avis and Stephanie Beeston and produced by Nafisa Fera.
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The South-East Ethnography Project
In 2007, the Royal Anthropological Institute’s Education Department collaborated with Greenwich Community College (GCC) on a film outreach project called ‘The South East Ethnography’. Funded by Mediabox and Aspire, the project enabled twelve students from GCC to take courses in anthropology and filmmaking and apply their knowledge to produce three short documentaries exploring identity and local communities in London.
These 3 remarkable films reflect the diversity and vibrancy of southeast London, whilst telling the personal stories of individuals whose work and lives are situated in the area. They are all testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of the GCC students.
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THE GOOD OL' DAYS
The well-established butchers, Kennedy’s is famous for its sausages and pies. The establishment is closing down now after 130 years of serving its communities across South-East London. This film looks at how regulars are affected by the closure and how Bill, one store’s manager, prepares to start a new life after 40 years at Kennedy’s.
The Good Ol’ Days demonstrates how traditional butchers form part of a community’s networks and how local shops are facing a decline in trade as a result of increasing competition with large supermarket chains.
A film by: Thomas Colley, Clarke Puncheon, Ashleigh Sheen, Stephanie Wickens and Elhum Shakerifar.
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TALK OF THE TRADE
For more than a decade the Woolwich market has been a source of food, clothing and conversation to Londoners. It has always been an alternative to the supermarket, a place of culture and diversity. The film offers an ethnographic portrayal of the people who make the market what it is, the traders. The changing history of Woolwich is drawn from their words and the products they sell.
A film by: Alfredina Adofo, Yasmin Begum, Ashly Kangere, Edwin Owusu, and Jaime Taylor
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ANGLESEA ROAD: MINI SOMALIA
In a country as culturally diverse as England, Anglesea Road stands out with a unique tradition of its own. Situated in Woolwich, South East London, Anglesea Road it is a small community rich in Somali culture, heritage and tradition. This film explores what the area means to British-Somali residents and why this place is so important to the expression of their cultural identity.
A film by: Ivonne Adewuyi, Bhim Gurung, Oti Ikomi, Jay Nelson and Edward Owles
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THE MAKING OF THE SOUTH-EAST ETHNOGRAPHIES
The following film shows how the South-East ethnographies were developed and what the students learned from directing and producing their own films.
For further information about the South-East Ethnography project please contact Nafisa Fera, the RAI's Education and Communications Officer. If you would like to purchase the films as a compilation DVD, or screen the films at an event, please get in touch with Susanne Hammacher, the RAI's Film Officer. The RAI has an extensive collection of ethnographic films that are available for sale or hire.