Handsworth Songs

An experimental documentary depicting protests around the UK, positioning the camera with the protesters rather than pointed at them.
About this Event

Handsworth Songs (1986, 61 mins) is an experimental documentary depicting the lives of those in Handsworth, Brixton, and Tottenham during three different people’s uprisings in 1985, positioning the camera with the protesters rather than pointed at them.

Produced by Black Audio Film Collective, Handsworth Songs interrogates the impact of colonialism and what it means to be Black-British at a time when these two terms were, and still are, at odds with each other.

Whilst made for the television screen, Handsworth Songs has gone on to be screened in museums and art houses around the world. Following this screening we will hold a community conversation to mark the 15 year anniversary of Mark Duggan's death which caused uprisings across London and spread to other parts of England. We aim to consider how the riots of 1985 and 2011 are similar and different, understanding how they changed the course of history and also the way in which we, as an organisation in Haringey, interact with the history of the borough.

This is the third and final screening of HCC's Summer Programme: Making the Revolution Irresistible

About the film & filmmakers
Trailer

AWARDS:

British Film Institute Grierson Award for Best Documentary in 1986.

JOHN AKOMFRAH: Director

Founder of Black Audio Film Collective, Akomfrah is a filmmaker who experiments with textures and sounds to create a landscape which explores the many outcomes of colonialism and immigration. Beginning with a career in television, via Chanel 4’s Workshop schemes, Akomfrah has more recently gone on to create installation pieces for art centres and museums internationally.

Other works include:

Seven Songs for Malcom X (1993)

The Stuart Hall Project (2013)

The Last Angel of History (1996)

About our Guest Speaker

Guest Speaker: TBC

Booking / Waiting List / Cancellation

Please only book if you are confident you will be able to attend, as seating at this venue is limited. Due to safety regulations, walk-in entry cannot be guaranteed.

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Due to the venue’s limited capacity, the event may sell out.If this happens, you can be added to the waiting list. When a ticket becomes available, you will receive an email to book it, and you will have 24 hours to complete your booking.

If you are unable to attend the event, please cancel your ticket(s) so that your place can be offered to someone else.

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HCC is run by volunteers and does not receive any funding at the moment. Every donation you make will help us to support local venues and to organise other free screenings.

In a time of rising living costs and persistent barriers for marginalised communities in producing and accessing films that reflect their experiences and aspirations, we are committed to making our screenings free or pay-what-you-can.

About the venue

Lordship Hub is a vibrant community centre and café at the heart of Lordship Rec, Tottenham’s largest park. The building is fully accessible, but located inside the park. If you need to be dropped off next to the building's main entrance (with the ramp), please contact us early so we can arrange the park's gate to be open. If you have any accessibility needs or questions, please contact us at [email protected].

About HCC

Haringey Community Cinema (HCC) was launched in April 2025 and is run by volunteers. Inspired by Brixton Community Cinema, HCC is aimed at bringing residents of Haringey together through film. Our mission is to showcase films that challenge, inspire, and spark critical reflection—films that make us think and act. Visit our website.

Covid Policy

HCC does not currently have an official COVID-19 policy. However, we remain mindful that many people are still vulnerable to the virus. We kindly ask attendees to take the following precautions to help keep our events safe and accessible for everyone:

• If possible, please take a lateral flow test before attending.
• If you test positive or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend, even if you feel well.
• We welcome and encourage the use of masks inside the venue for those who wish to wear them.
• Please be considerate of others' comfort levels and respect requests for physical distance.

Thank you for helping us create a safer and more inclusive space.