Every Day Except Christmas

Every Day Except Christmas is a British documentary film directed by Lindsay Anderson and released in 1957. The film provides a poignant and realistic portrayal of the daily life at the Covent Garden market in London, focusing on the workers and their routines. It is celebrated for its candid and sympathetic depiction of the working class and is considered a classic example of Free Cinema, a documentary movement in the UK that aimed to capture the reality of everyday life.

Synopsis

Every Day Except Christmas documents a day in the life of the Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market, from the early morning preparations before dawn to the closing of the market in the afternoon. The film captures the hustle and bustle of the market, the interactions between the traders, workers, and customers, and the hard work that goes into maintaining the market's operations. It highlights the sense of community among the workers and their resilience in facing the challenges of their daily routines.

Production

Directed by Lindsay Anderson, the film was part of the Free Cinema movement, which sought to portray the lives of ordinary people with honesty and sensitivity, without the influence of commercial cinema. Every Day Except Christmas was produced by Karel Reisz, another prominent figure in the Free Cinema movement. The film was shot on location at the Covent Garden market, using lightweight, portable equipment to capture the action as unobtrusively as possible. This approach allowed the filmmakers to document the market's atmosphere and the workers' activities in a naturalistic manner.

Reception

Upon its release, Every Day Except Christmas was praised for its authentic depiction of working-class life and its innovative use of documentary techniques. It won the British Film Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1958. The film is regarded as a significant work in British cinema, illustrating the principles of the Free Cinema movement and influencing subsequent generations of documentary filmmakers.

Legacy

Every Day Except Christmas is not only a valuable historical document but also a testament to the power of documentary film to capture and convey the complexities of human experience. It remains an influential work in the field of documentary filmmaking and is studied for its contribution to the development of a more realistic and empathetic approach to cinema. The film's portrayal of the Covent Garden market and its workers serves as a reminder of the changing landscapes of urban life and the enduring spirit of community.