The Rise and Fall of British Council Housing

Описание: Take a powerful visual journey through the rise and fall of British council housing—from its optimistic beginnings in the aftermath of World War II to its complex decline in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This short film uses minimalist, brutalist-inspired imagery to capture both the hope and hardship that defined generations of working-class life in Britain’s estates.

Council housing was once a proud symbol of social progress—a promise of dignity, shelter, and community for millions. But over time, a combination of political neglect, right-to-buy policies, and urban decay shifted the narrative. The result: underfunded blocks, overcrowding, and the erosion of public housing ideals.

Through stylised three-tone illustrations in burnt orange, black, and off-white, this film reflects on the changing face of council estates, the families who lived in them, and what was lost along the way.

If you’ve ever lived in a council house—or know someone who did—this video is a window into a shared history often overlooked.

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