Birmingham in the 1980s: Films by Yugesh Walia

(Saturday) (Monday)

Birmingham based Yugesh Walia and his brother Sunandan were at the forefront of independent film making in the 1980s. Their work was shown at the Edinburgh and London International Film Festivals and they received numerous commissions from production companies including the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV. Their work explored specific cultural moments and experiences for black and Asian communities in Birmingham. 

Three films by Yugesh will be on display in gallery 12 at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This trilogy was made under the aegis of the award-winning Birmingham Film & Video Workshop. Founded by Roger Shannon in December 1979 with support from West Midlands Arts and Channel 4, this pioneering movement introduced new and diverse voices into UK independent film and television culture.

The free exhibition will feature a different film each month, the films and their schedules are listed below. 



3rd August – 8th September

Mirror Mirror, 1980

Jo is a young Punjabi woman at a crossroads in her life. House sitting for a friend, she is in limbo between two worlds, trying to decide whether to move out of her family home to live with her English boyfriend. In contrast to her lifestyle as a young professional, her family life is restrictive and full of double standards. Under pressure from both sides, she must decide who she really is and what she wants from her life.

Duration: 25 minutes.

9th September – 13th October



Sweet Chariot, 1981

Sweet Chariot explores the ways white society adopts black culture through music, dance and fashion, and yet rejects it through racism. It follows an evening in the life of Pauline, a young dancer who is confronted by these attitudes on a daily basis.

Duration: 23 minutes.

14th October – 18th November

African Oasis, 1982

The Handsworth Cultural Centre in Birmingham provided cultural and social provisions including dance, film and the ‘African village’. This programming was part of the centre’s unique approach to ‘re-culturalisation’ and the development of new cultural identities in the face of negative stereotyping.

Duration: 33 minutes.

The films were made through Birmingham Film & Video Workshop (BFVW) and have been recently been acquired for Birmingham’s collection through the Collecting Birmingham project. Purchased with assistance of the Heritage Fund.

Selection of further exhibitions in:











Birmingham in the 1980s: Films by Yugesh Walia Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery Main address: Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery Chamberlain Square B3 3DH Birmingham, Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery Chamberlain Square B3 3DH Birmingham, Birmingham based Yugesh Walia and his brother Sunandan were at the forefront of independent film making in the 1980s. Their work was shown at the Edinburgh and London International Film Festivals and they received numerous commissions from production companies including the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV. Their work explored specific cultural moments and experiences for black and Asian communities in Birmingham. 

Three films by Yugesh will be on display in gallery 12 at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This trilogy was made under the aegis of the award-winning Birmingham Film & Video Workshop. Founded by Roger Shannon in December 1979 with support from West Midlands Arts and Channel 4, this pioneering movement introduced new and diverse voices into UK independent film and television culture.

The free exhibition will feature a different film each month, the films and their schedules are listed below. 



3rd August – 8th September

Mirror Mirror, 1980

Jo is a young Punjabi woman at a crossroads in her life. House sitting for a friend, she is in limbo between two worlds, trying to decide whether to move out of her family home to live with her English boyfriend. In contrast to her lifestyle as a young professional, her family life is restrictive and full of double standards. Under pressure from both sides, she must decide who she really is and what she wants from her life.

Duration: 25 minutes.

9th September – 13th October



Sweet Chariot, 1981

Sweet Chariot explores the ways white society adopts black culture through music, dance and fashion, and yet rejects it through racism. It follows an evening in the life of Pauline, a young dancer who is confronted by these attitudes on a daily basis.

Duration: 23 minutes.

14th October – 18th November

African Oasis, 1982

The Handsworth Cultural Centre in Birmingham provided cultural and social provisions including dance, film and the ‘African village’. This programming was part of the centre’s unique approach to ‘re-culturalisation’ and the development of new cultural identities in the face of negative stereotyping.

Duration: 33 minutes.

The films were made through Birmingham Film & Video Workshop (BFVW) and have been recently been acquired for Birmingham’s collection through the Collecting Birmingham project. Purchased with assistance of the Heritage Fund.
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