BFI Shorts: Living for Kicks

Step into the burgeoning British youth culture of the 1950s and 60s including a historical Leamington Spa short doc, curated from the BFI National Archive’s Associated-Rediffusion collection. 

Launched in 1955 as part of the then-fledgling ITV, Associated-Rediffusion was one of the very first independent companies to shake up the world of documentary TV. 

This evocative compilation depicts the rise of the teenager, the teddy boy and the coffee bar; the importance of pop music to the post-war generation; and the newfound freedoms that came to define these years in British cultural history. 

Programme

Fan Fever (1956) - 22 mins 

A spirited look at the rise of fandom amongst teenage girls, capturing the rising tide of pop obsession in dance halls and clubs. 

This Week: Teddy Boys (1956) - 8 mins 

A probing snapshot of the Teddy Boy subculture, spotlighting its bold style and the concerns it stirred nationwide. 

Celebrity: Cliff Richard (1959) - 5 mins 

An early portrait of Cliff Richard as he rises from Britain’s music scene to become a defining pop idol. 

This Week: Leamington Spa Teddy Boys (1958) - 7 mins 

A revealing dispatch from Leamington Spa, showing how Teddy Boy culture took root beyond the major cities.

Living for Kicks (1960) - 11 mins 

A vivid study of youth culture in Brighton as teenagers chase excitement and define their identities in a fast-changing consumer culture. 

The Beat City (1963) - 11 mins 

A fast-paced portrait of Liverpool which captures the energy of youth music culture as it surges through the city’s clubs and dance halls.

Rip It Up

Screening as part of Rip It Up, a UK-wide film season supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network which explores and celebrates the transformative energy and changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression on screen in the UK.