Documentaries (Visual and Audio)

Summary

All items listed in the REAL resource bank were suggested by research participants of the ‘Exploring Race and Ethnicity on Social Science Degree Programmes’ project, or colleagues at University of Brighton, as resources they had found useful in their own teaching. They are not intended as definitive recommendations from the project team, and readers should make their own judgements as to which items would be most useful and appropriate for their needs. Similarly, the short summaries of each listed item are meant as approximate indicators rather than comprehensive synopses and should act primarily as a starting point for further exploration.

A Class Divided (1985) Directed by William Peters. PBS, March 26, 60 mins [TV programme].

This film documents a classroom experiment where teacher Jane Elliott divides her pupils by eye-colour to simulate discrimination, exploring how quickly children adopt prejudicial roles and how power, privilege and group identity operate. It remains a powerful educational tool in discussions of racism, bias and social psychology.

 Betty Campbell: Statue for a Heroine (2022) BBC 2, October 23, 30 mins [TV programme].

In this documentary, Cerys Matthews celebrates the life of Betty Campbell, Wales’ first Black head teacher and a pioneer in multicultural education and community equality work. It tells the story of her roots in Cardiff’s Butetown, her educational leadership, and how her legacy is honoured through a public statue — marking recognition of overlooked Black women’s contributions.

 Black and British: A Forgotten History (2016) BBC iPlayer. November 9, 4 x 60 mins [TV series].

This documentary series with David Olusoga explores the long history of Black people in Britain — from Roman times to the present — highlighting their contributions, struggles, and the evolution of race relations. It challenges narratives of a homogenous British past and reveals how Black presence has shaped national identity.

 Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea (2019). Directed by Alex Stapleton. Netflix, 60 mins [Feature film].

In this documentary, comedian Chelsea Handler confronts her own white privilege and explores how systemic advantage operates in American culture. Through interviews, conversations and personal reflection, the film invites white viewers to examine their assumptions, responsibilities and roles in facilitating racial equity.

Race Around Britain (2021). Created by Munya Chawawa. YouTube, 4 x 30 mins [Online Series].

This lively four-part series follows a comedic road trip celebrating Black British culture while lampooning racial ignorance. Featuring guests like Nella Rose and Yung Filly, Munya Chawawa’s project became a viral hit, earning millions of views and award recognition through sketches such as the “Great British Jerk Off” and a parody drill group.

Race: The Power of an Illusion (2003) California News Reel, April, 3 x 30 mins [TV series].

This three-part documentary series challenges the biological notion of race, tracing how the concept emerged, how science debunks it, and how institutions continue to reproduce racial hierarchies. It argues that while race is not a meaningful biological category, it remains socially real and structurally powerful.

Shoot the People (2025). Directed by Andy Mundy-Castle. Distributor TBC, 90mins [Feature film].

In this film documentary, Andy Mundy-Castle follows British-Nigerian photographer and activist Misan Harriman as he examines the impact of protest movements on social change. The documentary highlights activism, resilience, and representation, while addressing racism and police brutality, offering insights into contemporary struggles for racial justice and the power of visual storytelling.

 The Rise of Hate Speech (2023) BBC 2, December 6, 30 mins [TV programme].

This documentary explores the growing prevalence of hate speech in society and online, investigates the drivers behind its rise, and considers the impacts on targeted communities and public discourse. It highlights the complex interplay between technology, social media, politics and identity in shaping contemporary forms of hateful expression.

Token BIack Girl: How Naomi Campbell vs. Tyra Banks was Orchestrated by the Industry (2019). Black Femininity TV, September 5, 25 mins [Online Programme].

The documentary explores how the fashion industry manufactured rivalry between Black supermodels, revealing how scarcity, tokenism and biased beauty standards shaped their careers. It exposes the structural racism behind media narratives that pit Black women against each other while limiting opportunities for genuine representation.

 Ways of Seeing (2011) BBC 2, July 14, 4 x 30 mins (first shown 1972) [TV series].

This seminal BBC series with John Berger uses art criticism to unpack the social and political frameworks shaping how we view images. It examines the influence of property, gender, colonial roots and consumption in visual culture, arguing that what we see is always mediated by context, power and ideology.

 White Mischief (2021) BBC Radio 4, October 6, 30 mins [TV programme].

Presented by writer and curator Ekow Eshun, the series explores the concept of whiteness: its historical origins, cultural meanings and political implications. With contributions ranging from art and class‑to systemic privilege, it invites listeners to reflect on how whiteness shapes society, identity and power.

Why is My Curriculum White? (2014) UCL, November 11, 30 mins [Online video].

This student-led campaign film questions the dominance of a “white” curriculum — one that centres Euro-centric authors, theories and perspectives — and invites educators and students to reflect on why alternative voices, knowledge systems and racialised perspectives are frequently excluded in higher education.