Movie spotlight
How We Used to Live
Documentarian Paul Kelly returns to the festival with his latest collaboration with the band Saint Etienne, following the loose trilogy of London films Finisterre, What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day and This Is Tomorrow, all recently published on BFI DVD. In the decade since Finisterre Kelly has built a reputation as a distinctive voice in British cinema, developing a lyrical style that draws on the psychogeography and people of the city and its culture. How We Used To Live is effectively a prequel to Finisterre, a meditation on London life today and a glance back at a receding Britain. Using colour footage from the 1950s to the 1980s, taken from the BFI National Archive, the film covers the ‘New Elizabethan’ age from the optimism of the post-war era to the dawn of Thatcherism. Soundtracked by Saint Etienne’s Pete Wiggs and scripted by the band’s Bob Stanley with Travis Elborough, the film is for anyone who has ever tried to understand their city. (Source: LFF programme)
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the cultural and societal shifts in Britain from the end of World War II to the dawn of the 1980s. It delves into the changing landscape of family life, education, and community through archival footage and personal anecdotes. The film offers a nostalgic yet critical look at how Britain transformed over several decades.
Critical Reception
How We Used to Live was met with generally positive reviews, praised for its comprehensive archival footage and insightful narrative. Critics lauded its ability to evoke nostalgia while also prompting reflection on social progress and change. Audience reception was also favorable, appreciating its accessible and engaging historical overview.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its extensive and evocative use of archival material.
Commended for its thoughtful examination of post-war British social history.
Appreciated for its nostalgic yet reflective tone.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film primarily uses home-movie footage and newsreels from the period to construct its narrative, giving it a very personal and authentic feel.
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