ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
Blight, dir. John Smith
Book tickets
Rents are spiralling, housing conditions are worsening and property speculation is rampant. How can we challenge these assaults on the basic human right of a home? How have previous generations struggled for a safe and secure roof over their heads? Can we envision, demand and achieve housing for all?
This programme poses such questions across the intertwined histories of British cinema and housing struggles. From artist-filmmaker abstractions to activist video, the range of aesthetic approaches variably interrogate the emotional, strategic and utopian registers of housing movements across squatters’ groups, rent strikes and tenants’ unions.
Gentrification and unregulated landlordism are fracturing communities, while social housing disintegrates and profits soar. However, as these films constantly underline we can and should resist.
Curated and presented by Ed Webb-Ingall and Oliver Dixon
Housing Problems, dir. Realist Film Unit, UK 1935, 15mins
Squatters, dir. Cinema Action, UK 1969, 17mins
Murchison Tenants, dir. Andy Porter, UK 1970s, 6mins
Squat Now While Stocks Last, dir. Sue Hall / John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins, UK 1974, 6mins
Blight, dir. John Smith, UK 1996, 14mins
Hostile Housing, dir. London Renters Union, UK 2020, 7mins
Dampbusters, dir. Winnie Herbstein, UK 2021, 19mins
A Bedroom for Everyone, dir. Ed Webb-Ingall, UK 2023, 15mins
This programme poses such questions across the intertwined histories of British cinema and housing struggles. From artist-filmmaker abstractions to activist video, the range of aesthetic approaches variably interrogate the emotional, strategic and utopian registers of housing movements across squatters’ groups, rent strikes and tenants’ unions.
Gentrification and unregulated landlordism are fracturing communities, while social housing disintegrates and profits soar. However, as these films constantly underline we can and should resist.
Curated and presented by Ed Webb-Ingall and Oliver Dixon
Housing Problems, dir. Realist Film Unit, UK 1935, 15mins
Squatters, dir. Cinema Action, UK 1969, 17mins
Murchison Tenants, dir. Andy Porter, UK 1970s, 6mins
Squat Now While Stocks Last, dir. Sue Hall / John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins, UK 1974, 6mins
Blight, dir. John Smith, UK 1996, 14mins
Hostile Housing, dir. London Renters Union, UK 2020, 7mins
Dampbusters, dir. Winnie Herbstein, UK 2021, 19mins
A Bedroom for Everyone, dir. Ed Webb-Ingall, UK 2023, 15mins
Book tickets
03:30 pm
Sat, 25 Jan 2025
Cinema 1
Ticket information
- All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
- For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student and pensioner) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
Access information
Cinema 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
Members+ and all Patrons gain free entry to all cinema screenings, exhibitions, talks, and more.
Join today as a Member+ for £25/month.
no. 236848.