This film is part of Free
Through the Back Door into India
An Englishman's eccentric road trip through Iran to Pakistan
Overview
The 'back door' is Iran, through which an intrepid Englishman travels by car, with dog, union flag and movie camera in tow. They arrive eventually in a part of British India that is now Pakistan. While this somewhat bonkers real-life road movie is undeniably laden with its share of unthinking imperialist assumptions, it also includes valuable, occasionally breathtaking, images of people and places.
The film was released as one of a series of 'Heart of Asia' travelogues by British Instructional Films, the 1920s' leading producer of non-fiction films for UK cinemas.
Related
An Eastern Market An Eastern Market
Travelogue 1928 9 mins Silent
Documentary detailing a farmerβs visit to the market in Rawalpindi
Kagan Valley Kagan Valley
Amateur film 1931 15 mins
Amateur travelogue of the Kagan Valley and Darband, Pakistan.
Lahore - Badshahi Mosque Lahore - Badshahi Mosque
Amateur film 1933 7 mins Silent
Extraordinary home movie footage of prayers in the Punjabi capital
Our Garden - Jhelum Our Garden - Jhelum
Amateur film 1945 12 mins Silent
This amateur film captures Colonel and Mrs Lord's garden at Jhelum, as well as soldiers at Karachi.
Life in Hunza Life in Hunza
Amateur film 1937 11 mins Silent
Fertility rites and wine production: life in the Hunza valley in northern Pakistan.
Indian Life Indian Life
Amateur film 1940 18 mins Silent
A motorist's excursion captures a world made by hand in the environs of Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archiveβs role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.