Movies Similar to Look at Life: Report on a River

The Street(2019)

The baker, the pie-maker and the diminished long-term community of Hoxton Street face gentrification in this compelling portrait of a rapidly changing London.

Cinema Now(2022)

A fragmented collection of independent closed cinemas, in London during lockdown, captured on Super 8mm film.

Dance for All(2007)

Cracking the Shakespeare Code(2016)

Norwegian researcher Petter Amundsen claims to have deciphered a secret code hidden in legendary playwright William Shakespeare's works that reveals a map leading to the location of certain treasures. British Shakespearean scholar Robert Crumpton embarks on a mission to prove he is spectacularly wrong. (A remake of “Shakespeare: The Hidden Truth,” including new discoveries.)

Barber Shop City(2014)

A documentary revealing an observation on three barbershops throughout the course of one summer's day in the city of London - Hackney, Herne Hill, and Catford.

Barbican(1969)

About the development scheme for a residential area in the City. Barbican, which will be largely completed by 1973, will provide about 7,000 people with not only flats and houses but shops, schools and a wide range of cultural and other amenities.

Ten Bridges(1957)

A beautifully evocative three-mile glide along the Thames from bustling docks to bohemian Chelsea.

A Very British Hotel at Christmas(2024)

Cameras go behind the scenes at Brown's, London's oldest luxury hotel, during the Christmas season, as staff face the expectations of delivering a luxury festive stay for guests booking rooms that start at £750 a night. The hotel's elite team hosts a vibrant charity Christmas fayre, creates imaginative festive pastries, and concocts a signature holiday cocktail, all aimed at delivering the Christmas feast of a lifetime.

Reel Stories: An Oral History of London's Projectionists(2022)

Documentary charting the experiences of projectionists who work or worked in cinemas in London, exploring the skills and dedication required for this unique role, set against changes in technology, society, and entertainment.

Extinction Rebellion: Last Chance to Save the World?(2019)

A huge new global protest movement is changing public attitudes to climate change. Reporter Ben Zand gains access to the most high-profile activist group, Extinction Rebellion.

Charlie Chaplin: A Tramp's Life(1998)

A biographical documentary about the great British actor and director Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), from rags to riches, from the slums of London to glory.

Westminster Abbey(1945)

The history of Westminster Abbey and a tour of the monuments within it; accompanied by choral music and including footage of the coronation of King George VI in 1937.

Christmas at the Four Seasons: Park Lane(2024)

Exclusive access to the Four Seasons Hotel, London, in the run-up to Christmas. Expect festive photoshoots, afternoon teas, Christmas trees and sackfuls of presents.

The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story(2003)

The full bizarre, tragic but celebratory story of Syd Barrett, the co-founder of Pink Floyd.

My Generation(2017)

The vivid and inspiring story of British film icon Michael Caine's personal journey through 1960s swinging London.

Rude Boy(1980)

Rude Boy is a semi-documentary, part character study, part 'rockumentary', featuring a British punk band, The Clash. The script includes the story of a fictional fan juxtposed with actual public events of the day, including political demonstrations and Clash concerts.

Ghost Dance(1983)

Through the experiences of two women in Paris and London, Ghost Dance offers an analysis of the complexity of our conceptions of ghosts, memory and the past. The film focuses on the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who observes, 'I think cinema, when it's not boring, is the art of letting ghosts come back.' He also says that 'memory is the past that has never had the form of the present.'

The Magic of Chaos(2024)

Follows the journeys of four members at Headway East London’s Day Centre: Yoki, who began as a Headway member, now works with the charity, providing emotional support and advocacy to other brain injury survivors. Dave, a former chauffeur to the rich and famous, has embraced cooking and is developing his artistic talents. Margie, life and soul of the community, who spreads joy through her love for food and music, and Marie-Claire who has rebuilt her life after an aneurysm left her in a coma at forty.

The London Nobody Knows(1968)

Based on Geoffrey Fletcher’s book, this captivating documentary exposes the real London of the swinging sixties. Turning its back on familiar sights, the film explores the hidden details of a crumbling metropolis. With James Mason as our Guide, we are led on an tour of the weird and wonderful pockets of London from abandoned music-halls to egg breaking factories.

LHR(1972)

A colour anamorphic musical look at London's Heathrow airport over 24-hours in November 1971. The subject was shot entirely at Heathrow airport without recording any direct sound. LHR's many layered tracks were all compiled, recorded and laid in post-production.