Our Business Is Fun

Meet Futuristic Fred, the celebrated fairground artist from Streatham.

A filmic encounter with Futuristic Fred, Britain's most revered fairground artist. Captured at work decorating a ride in his studio in Streatham, London, Fred Fowle (1914-1983) pays tribute to the cinema posters, adverts and graphic novels that inspired his designs. His signature vibrant, three-dimensional style has been widely celebrated and chimes with the current resurgence of traditional steam-powered fairground rides.

Director Michael Whyte has worked prolifically in documentary and drama since the 1970s, making films which span an array of social issues. Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear (1974), also available on BFI Player, tackles domestic violence, while Catherine (1985) is a drama about the tragic story of a girl who died from anorexia. More recently, No Greater Love (2010) explored the quiet lives of Carmelite nuns in Notting Hill.