This short film follows Peter, played by Peter Draper, who embarks on a school project to look at the history of Tower Hamlets. During his research he finds video cassettes which when played on his video camera show tales from the past (as if those in the past had a video camera at the time filming events).

These tales illustrate the history of Tower Hamlets through the eyes of those who belong to groups that have suffered prejudice, discrimination and hate. Huguenots, Lascars, Jews and the Irish among others all tell their story. Key periods in the history of Tower Hamlets are shown through their tales, including the peasant's revolt, the plague and the Cutter's Riots.

All the roles are played by children and the film takes in locations such as the Cable Street mural, Museum in Docklands and Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives. Peter discovers that his Dad's views which cause great distress to his Asian friend Shamaz, played by Shamaz Khanom, that immigrants take all the jobs and should go home are ones that are not new and can be found in all periods of history.

The film highlights the multi-cultural history of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in an unique and compelling way bringing the history of the borough alive which should appeal particularly to young residents of Tower Hamlets.

Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives is acknowledged by name in the end credits as is Mr Christopher Lloyd.

Gary Haines 28 August 2004

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