PEOPLE will be able to travel back in time to 1970s Bradford tomorrow (Friday) when a special screening comes to the city.

Bradford on the BBC in the 1970s – which captures the experiences of the city’s South Asian community, at a time when the demographics of Britain were changing rapidly – will be shown at the National Science and Media Museum’s Pictureville Cinema at 11am.

The screening is one of many events marking 100 years of the BBC, and will be presented by Dr Marcus Collins, Arts and Humanities Research Council BBC Centenary Fellow.

“This is footage which hasn’t been seen in 50 years,” Dr Collins explained.

“It’s priceless in many ways – it shows when the South Asian community in Bradford was beginning to set roots down.

“For those people to move continents, it was a massive upheaval, and they were making a real investment in a new life.

“It may be nostalgic – some may recognise a relative, or the street they grew up on.”

Dr Collins notes, however, that the film is a product of its time. The National Science and Media Museum adds that it contains material some may find offensive.

“It is bittersweet – it looks at the prejudice people faced and makes for uncomfortable viewing at times,” he said.

“It also shows how the BBC represented issues back then. They almost saw migration as a social problem, and – as you might expect – it wasn’t represented in the same way it would be today.”

Dr Collins, who is also a reader in history at Loughborough University, added that the film may be useful in helping audiences to reflect on racism and discrimination in this country.

“Today, the British South Asian community is a lot more established, and I think white attitudes have changed over the last 50 years, too,” he said.

“I think white British people are much less overtly racist today. I would be astonished if people still had some of those views.

“The film also shows how the BBC was misguided. They would not represent difference and diversity like that today.”

Dr Collins added that the National Science and Media Museum is a huge asset to the district.

“It’s a real gem, and Bradford is so fortunate to have it,” he said.

“Bradford has been central to the BBC centenary celebrations, with two exhibitions at the Museum. It’s been as involved as anybody – it’s all happening in Bradford.”

To book your free tickets for the screening, click here.