London: The Modern Babylon

London: The Modern Babylon

NR 2012 · 129 min · ★ 6.4

London: The Modern Babylon is legendary director Julien Temple's epic time-traveling voyage to the heart of his hometown.

Directed by Julien Temple · Written by Julien Temple

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4h 29m together

London: The Modern Babylon

Habaneros

Both from Julien Temple.

More from Julien TempleSee all →

HabanerosHabaneros · 2017
Habaneros
★ 8.02017
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A brief history of the Cuban capital of Havana, backed by a vibrant soundtrack of son cubano, salsa, jazz, rumba, mambo and hip hop. Drawing on archive footage, animations, movie excerpts and interviews with Havana residents, eyewitnesses and experts, Habaneros runs through key moments in the city’s modern history, from the abolition of slavery at the end of the 19th century to the Spanish–American War, and from the dictatorship of General Batista to the revolution of Fidel Castro. The film concludes by wondering what the future holds. Many Havana locals are encouraged by President Obama’s relaxation of sanctions, but much uncertainty remains.
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowanCrock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan · 2020
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan
★ 8.02020
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A celebration of the Irish punk/poet Shane MacGowan, lead singer and songwriter of The Pogues, that combines unseen archive footage from the band and MacGowan’s family with original animations.
The Comic StripThe Comic Strip · 1981
The Comic Strip
★ 8.01981
MovieComedy
A tongue-in-cheek "behind the scenes" look at the Comic Strip comedy club in the early 1980s, which gave rise to 'The Comic Strip Presents'
We Are Scissor Sisters... And So Are YouWe Are Scissor Sisters... And So Are You · 2004
We Are Scissor Sisters... And So Are You
★ 8.02004
MovieDocumentaryMusic
We Are Scissor Sisters... And So Are You is the first DVD by the Scissor Sisters, released on November 29, 2004. It contains a full live concert filmed at Brighton Dome in August 2004, featuring backstage footage and extras. It includes the documentary "Return To Oz" (directed by Julien Temple) which tells the story of the Scissor Sisters. There is also a separate 10 minute skit directed by Andy Soup which has the band dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz, which also includes "terribly bad acting" as mentioned on their official website.
David Bowie: Jazzin' for Blue JeanDavid Bowie: Jazzin' for Blue Jean · 1984
David Bowie: Jazzin' for Blue Jean
★ 7.61984
MovieMusicComedy
Jazzin' for Blue Jean is a 20-minute short film featuring David Bowie and directed by Julien Temple. It was created to promote Bowie's single "Blue Jean" in 1984 and released as a video single. The film depicts the adventures of the socially incompetent Vic (played by Bowie) as he tries to win the affections of a beautiful girl by claiming to personally know her favorite rock star, Screaming Lord Byron (also played by Bowie).
Punk BritanniaPunk Britannia · 2012
Punk Britannia
★ 7.52012
SeriesDocumentary
A brand new take on the most transformative force in British popular music history.
Joe Strummer: The Future Is UnwrittenJoe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten · 2007
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
★ 7.32007
MovieMusicDocumentary
As the front man of the Clash from 1977 onwards, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before. In "The Future Is Unwritten", from British film director Julien Temple, Joe Strummer is revealed not just as a legend or musician, but as a true communicator of our times. Drawing on both a shared punk history and the close personal friendship which developed over the last years of Joe's life, Julien Temple's film is a celebration of Joe Strummer - before, during and after the Clash.
The Rolling Stones: Live at the MaxThe Rolling Stones: Live at the Max · 1991
The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max
★ 7.31991
MovieMusicDocumentary
A filming of the 1990 Rolling Stones "Steel Wheels" concert that traveled Europe. This was filmed in the IMAX process, which allows the film to be projected in a size ten times the size of a regular 35mm projected image.
I Am Curious JohnnyI Am Curious Johnny · 2025
I Am Curious Johnny
★ 7.02025
MovieDocumentary
Johnny Pigozzi—photographer, heir, and legendary collector—pioneered the celebrity selfie in the 1970s, built an elite social network, and assembled the world's best contemporary African art collection.
The Filth and the FuryThe Filth and the Fury · 2000
The Filth and the Fury
★ 6.92000
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Julien Temple's second documentary profiling punk rock pioneers the Sex Pistols is an enlightening, entertaining trip back to a time when the punk movement was just discovering itself. Featuring archival footage, never-before-seen performances, rehearsals, and recording sessions as well as interviews with group members who lived to tell the tale--including the one and only John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten).
The Great Rock 'n' Roll SwindleThe Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle · 1980
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
★ 6.41980
MovieComedyDocumentary
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular and punk rock in general were an elaborate scam perpetrated by him in order to make "a million pounds."
The Secret Policeman's Other BallThe Secret Policeman's Other Ball · 1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
★ 6.31982
MovieComedyMusic
Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-off movie, TV special and record albums – Cleese, Lewis and Walker planned the next show to be a more spectacular event. Cleese focused on broadening the comedic talent to be presented at the show. In addition to the Amnesty show stalwarts drawn from the Oxbridge/Monty Python/Beyond The Fringe orbit, he invited newcomers such as Rowan Atkinson’s colleagues from the BBC TV show Not the Nine O'Clock News including Pamela Stephenson and Griff Rhys Jones; comedian Victoria Wood and regional comic Jasper Carrott. Lewis secured a return appearance by Billy Connolly and a debut appearance by "alternative" comedian Alexei Sayle who Lewis had recently discovered and was managing. Building on the success of Pete Townshend's 1979 appearance Lewis recruited other rock musicians to perform at the 1981 show including Sting, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Donovan and Bob Geldof.
BulletBullet · 1996
Bullet
★ 6.21996
MovieActionDrama
A tough, Jewish ex-con just released from prison crosses a powerful drug dealer and former prison rival in his return to a life of crime.
Punk Can Take ItPunk Can Take It · 1979
Punk Can Take It
★ 6.01979
MovieComedyWar
Julien Temple's wartime documentary parody "Punk Can Take It" (1979) - a theatrically released promo for the UK Subs, complete with narration by BBC voice-over veteran John Snagge - paints a glorious picture of England in a punk rock "identity crisis". Punk morale was higher than ever before. Punks were fused together not by fear, but by a surging spirit of revenge, immortality, and the courage never to submit or yield. This proved that punk won't go away and that punks themselves are becoming younger and nastier everyday. They have no time for the precarious thrills of nostalgia nor for its trivial rules.
Ibiza: The Silent MovieIbiza: The Silent Movie · 2019
Ibiza: The Silent Movie
★ 6.02019
MovieDocumentaryMusic
This unique and innovative project provides a compelling audiovisual journey into 2,000 years of Ibiza’s bohemian soul. The film captures Temple’s iconic style and boasts a soundtrack curated by world renowned artist Fatboy Slim, including his smash hits RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW; EAT SLEEP RAVE REPEAT as well as legendary tracks from artists including Ultra Nate, Cream, Brian Eno, The Dandy Warhols, The Sex Pistols and more.
Sex Pistols: There'll Always Be an EnglandSex Pistols: There'll Always Be an England · 2008
Sex Pistols: There'll Always Be an England
★ 6.02008
MovieMusic
There'll Always Be an England' - named after Vera Lynn's stirring intro music - was recorded on Saturday, November 10th and captures the energy and excitement of the band and the crowd. The whole of the classic 'Never Mind The Bollocks' album is performed, together with a mixture Pistols cover versions, b-sides and even an impromptu crowd sing-along of 'I Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside'.

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