Great Noises that Fill the Air (2-Disc DVD Set)

Originally produced for the Arts Council between 1978 and 1996, these rare archive films showcase a diverse range of rich, inventive approaches to the urgent social and political contexts and motivations that trigger music and art making

In the second half of the twentieth century Arts Council funding enabled independent filmmakers to push hard at the creative boundaries of documentary production, enabling an eruption of diverse, dynamic, cutting edge works able both to stimulate the intellect and enflame the senses.

From the streets of Brixton and Manchester, via leafy suburbs, to junk yards, punk venues and inner-city community centres, this carefully curated selection documents, celebrates and showcases an eclectic mix of music, poetry and spoken word performance, in a collection of film and video works made between 1978 and 1996, and rarely seen since.

By turns poetic and impressionistic, personal and experimental, these bold works all highlight the potential of documentary to challenge, celebrate, excite, fight and inspire. 

Disc 1

• Dread Beat and Blood (Franco Rosso, 1979, 44 mins)
• Steve Reich: A New Musical Language (Margaret Williams, 1987, 56 mins)
• Elizabeth Maconchy (Margaret Williams, 1984, 48 mins)
• Strong Culture (Smita Malde, 1995, 6 mins)
• Bristol Vibes (Ruppert Gabriel, 1996, 12 mins)
• Clocks of the Midnight Hours (Simon Reynell, 1988, 27 mins)
• Great Noises That Fill the Air: Bow Gamelan Ensemble (Simon Reynell, 1988, 26 mins)

Disc 2

• Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt (Nick May, 1984, 61 mins)
• Celebrashan (Pauline Bailey, 1995, 6 mins)
• Cornelius Cardew 1936-1981 (Philippe Regniez, 1986, 52 mins)
• Steel 'N' Skin (Steve Shaw, 1979, 34 mins)
• Chutney in Yuh Soca (Karen Martinez, 1996, 21 mins)
• Music in Progress: Mike Westbrook – Jazz composer (Charles Mapleston, 1978, 42 mins)