When DARE Pictures teamed up with Bad Tattoo and Sphere Abacus to roll out a new feature‑length documentary titled This Is Soho, the buzz was instant. The film, narrated by legendary Sir Stephen Fry, actor and narrator and directed by BAFTA Elevate cohort member Ahmed Peerbux, producer‑director, is set to debut at MIPCOM 2025Cannes in October 2025 before heading to cinemas later that year. Executive producers Derren Lawford and Jim Davies joined additional producer Rob Pickles to bring a square‑mile of London history onto the big screen.
Background: Soho's Bohemian Legacy
London’s Soho has long been a cultural pressure cooker. From the jazz clubs of the 1940s to the punk‑rock venues of the 1970s, the area shaped the city’s musical and artistic DNA. By the 1990s, Soho earned its reputation as the UK’s premier gay district, a safe haven where drag queens could thrive and avant‑garde theatre took center stage.
Data from the Greater London Authority shows that commercial rents in Soho have risen by roughly 32% between 2019 and 2024, outpacing the citywide average of 21%. The surge has forced at least twelve iconic LGBTQ+ venues—including the legendary Club X and Rainbow Bar—to shut their doors, a fact that fuels the documentary’s urgency.
Inside the Film: Voices from the Square Mile
The heart of This Is Soho is its people. The crew secured unprecedented access to drag icon Lady Velvet (stage name for performer Maya Thompson), who told Fry, “Soho isn’t just a postcode; it’s a pulse that keeps my heart beating after midnight.” Bouncers from the famed Club Inferno describe a nightly dance between preserving the neighbourhood’s edge and handling the influx of tourists who now make up 55% of foot traffic, up from 38% a decade ago.
Landlords like Mark Ellis share a conflicted outlook: “I love the history, but I can’t afford to keep rents flat when my mortgage jumps every year.” Even long‑standing residents, such as playwright Helen Gallagher, voice a lingering fear that the authentic bohemian spirit could be drowned out by high‑end chain restaurants.
Economic Pressures and the Fight for the Soul
Investors are not blind to Soho’s brand value. Real‑estate firm Urban Capital Partners recently announced a £45 million acquisition of three historic sites, promising refurbishment and “modern retail experiences.” Critics argue that such capital infusion could accelerate the erasure of grassroots venues.
Professor Dr. Amelia Reed of King's College London warns, “When profit margins dictate cultural policy, we risk losing the very diversity that made Soho a magnet for creativity.” The documentary captures this clash in a tense town‑hall scene where activists chant, “Save our streets, not our wallets.”
Production Journey and Release Plan
Peerbux, fresh off his BAFTA‑backed series Grenfell: Uncovered, says the pre‑production phase began in early 2023. “We spent a year mapping the community, earning trust, and cataloguing stories before the cameras ever rolled,” he explained at a press briefing. Shooting wrapped in June 2024, with post‑production fine‑tuned through September 2025 under the watchful ear of Fry, whose narration adds a warm, authoritative tone.
After its MIPCOM premiere, Sphere Abacus will spearhead international sales, targeting festivals in Toronto, Sydney, and Berlin. A UK theatrical rollout is slated for November 2025, followed by a streaming window on a major platform later in early 2026.
What Comes Next for Soho?
The documentary doesn’t just linger on problems; it offers a roadmap. Community groups have proposed a “cultural preservation levy,” a modest business‑rate surcharge aimed at funding at‑risk venues. City Council member Councillor Priya Patel hinted at pilot schemes that could protect ten historic sites, pending council approval next spring.
Whether these measures will be enough remains open‑ended. As Fry intones in the film’s closing narration, “Soho’s story is still being written—by the people who live, love, and fight within its streets.” The documentary invites viewers to decide if the price of progress is worth paying for one of the world’s most storied postcodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the documentary premiere?
The film will debut at MIPCOM 2025 in Cannes on October 14, 2025, before a UK theatrical release in November.
Who are the main creative forces behind the project?
Ahmed Peerbux directs, Sir Stephen Fry narrates, and executive producers Derren Lawford and Jim Davies oversee production.
Why is Soho’s future considered at a crossroads?
Rising rents (up 30% since 2019), higher business rates, and a wave of commercial redevelopment threaten the survival of historic LGBTQ+ venues that have defined Soho’s cultural identity.
What kind of perspectives does the documentary include?
It features drag performers, club bouncers, longtime landlords, local historians, and major investors, offering a multi‑layered view of the neighbourhood’s social and economic dynamics.
How can viewers support Soho’s cultural preservation?
Community groups are lobbying for a cultural preservation levy and council‑backed protection schemes; attending local events, donating to heritage funds, and voicing support to city officials are practical ways to help.
