London Soho, 1956. AI Enhanced. Documentary Full Colour & Sound, Details Recovered, Upscaled 1080 HD
This vibrant time capsule offers a glimpse into the lively atmosphere of 1950s Soho, which boasted more energy than its modern-day counterpart. The film provides a colorful snapshot of a typical day in mid-50s Soho, specifically during its annual Summer Fair, and is sure to evoke nostalgia in those who are familiar with this cherished bohemian enclave in central London – or what little remains of it. Soho was once a bustling, multicultural community where Italian delis, French patisseries, and Greek-Cypriot cafes coexisted alongside jazz bars like the Granada. Market traders peddled exotic foods that were yet to be discovered by most British people, such as aubergines. The parade features models from the “Visual Arts Club,” while waiters from local restaurants compete in a race through the streets that still bear the scars of wartime bomb damage. The Algerian coffee store on Old Compton Street and the Berwick Street market are among the locations that are still standing today (at least for now). However, the film also highlights the area’s current state of commercialism and gentrification, which has dulled its once-vibrant character. This makes the film a cherished relic of the past and perhaps a call to action for 21st-century activists. Image noise has been removed, the tone balanced, colour saturation reduced, stabilised where necessary, details recovered, sharpened, brightened and finally upscaled from the original 786 x 576 to full 1080 HD. The sound in the original was very weak, quiet and high pitched with no bottom end, this has been corrected. Credit to : Radiohead