Two Sides of the Street

A real life soap opera is unfolding in Cardross Street, west London. A Royal Ballet star, a man who owns a share in a race horse, and a peer's daughter now live side by side with old folk who have rented their houses all their lives. Once the street was filled with families. Now it's being taken over and tarted up by the young rich with no children. 'Funeral today - skip tomorrow' is how the locals describe what's happening. Had they been able to afford it, the old timers could have bought their homes for £200. Now unmodemised two-up two-downs with outside loos are snapped up at £150,000.

Directed by John Pitman, Two Sides of the Street leans on a strong ensemble — John Pitman — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1989.