The London Landlord  (2001)

On the banks of the River Lea amongst some of Clapton’s least inviting estates, the locals use the Hope and Anchor pub as their oasis whilst swans sup from the canal outside. Renowned for the quality of its London Pride, landlord Leslie Heath strengthened that reputation with his 50 years of service behind the bar.

With its interior largely unchanged since the sixties and Leslie saying “they’ll have me stuffed and put behind the bar when I go”, the inevitable fate for most of London’s old boozers and de facto community centres is to fall victim to gentrification and become the latest gastro-pub for the new wave of residents. Aided by the ‘development’ looming in the area, Leslie and his punters talk about the threat posed to their spiritual home.

Screened at the Raindance Film Festival (2001).

A Story Yaa Know  (2006)

Whilst Notting Hill Carnival has the masses dancing in the streets for a mere two days a year, the mas bands are hard at work in W9 all year round. Yaa Asantewaa is London’s longest running and leading Black led arts centre, which passionately celebrates and promotes ethnic minority cultural heritage through creative and educational initiatives.

Innercity has chronicled Yaa’s award winning carnival group for the past three years, filming and photographing the collective of designers, seamstresses and performers. Interspersed with footage from the festivities, we document both the history and roots of carnival and the art form itself. We follow Yaa’s recounting of Britain’s hidden Black history, learning about Shakespeare’s mistress and Queen Charlotte’s ancestry along the way.

Screened at Yaa Asantewaa Arts and Cultural Centre.

All Systems Go  (2005)

No matter who’s headlining, The Elvi Brothers have become an unofficial support act at London Festivals. Both in their sixties, Brain and Sidney work in the city by day, Brian as a banker whilst Sidney sells the The Evening Standard. At the weekends they transform into the unrelated Elvi Brothers, who dress like a cross between Elvis and extras from Starsky and Hutch, and hit the festival scene like Woodstock never ended.

Phone snapped by thousands of Londoners, Innercity trained a camera on them for a whole summer whilst they hip thrust, hustle and bump their way around the city’s music festivals.

Centerprise - An Amazing Place  (2002)

For over 30 years the Centerprise arts and community centre has aided, educated and entertained thousands of Hackney residents. And for socially isolated and disenfranchised locals it provided an essential support system. Innercity records an explosion of images and emotions as we film a day in the buzz of the centre, and speak to those who have to contend with losing their home from home when the centre is threatened with closure.

Screened on DKTV (Cable), and at The Rio Cinema, Hackney.