It may just be that anthropology is making a comeback.

Exhibit a: earlier this year the Royal Anthropological Institute was granted a Royal Charter and with it the ear of authorities in policy matters, increased public recognition and a wider profile for the study of humanity.

Exhibit b: lifelong Kew resident André Singer was made an OBE for services to anthropology and the documentary film industry in last week's Queen's Birthday Honours.

André was a director and producer of the Granada hit show Disappearing World. "It was very popular and we've never really managed to do it since," he told Richmond Nub News.

"When I started out in this many years ago, doing films as an anthropologist was seen as a hobby.

"Now it's not only respected for anthropologists to use film, it's essential in their work."

He said anthropology "fits the zeitgeist" as the Black Lives Matter movement gains momentum, statues of slave barons are torn down and people begin to delve into their heritage on ancestry-tracing websites.

"It's an area that anthropologists have been late in taking up but now they're right in the centre of it," André said.

advertisement

"It's rather nice that someone who's in the middle of those two worlds is recognised for that."

André has lived in Kew Gardens since 1977 and his three now-grown up sons all went to schools in Richmond borough: "I'm a stalwart local and here I will stay."

He is founder and chief executive of Spring Films which posted a news item titled Singer's a winner!. "Congratulations from a very proud company for a thoroughly well deserved award and recognition of the amazing work that André has done as director, producer, commissioning editor and as former president of the Royal Anthropological Institute," the film company said.

His presidency was from 2014-18 and this year the group received its Royal Charter.

"It means when government needs expertise the first port of call has to be the Royal Anthropological Institute," André explained.

"So, from a government level there's been recognition that the discipline is important."

How did he hear that he was being made an Order of the British Empire?

"We were formally informed in May. I got an email from the Crown office.

advertisement

"It was rapidly followed by another one saying 'Because of the coronavirus situation, we're postponing it until the autumn'. Last week I got a reminder that it was coming out on October 10 and it was embargoed until Friday night."

He reflected: "It's an odd one.

"I'm trying to be objective about it. Obviously it's very pleasing but I suppose why it's good is because that area of anthropology and anthropological films has never really been recognised."

Films André has directed

• Black Man's Burden (1975)
• A Song for the Time (1977)
• World in Action x 4 (1977-1979)
• Khyber (1979)
• The Pathans – Disappearing World (1979)
• Afghan Exodus (1980)
• Witchcraft Among the Azande – Disappearing World (1982)
• The Kazakhs of China – Disappearing World (1983)
• The Camp on Lantau Island – UNHCR/C4 (1984)
• The Lost Tribes – UNHCR/C4'' (1984)
• A Man Without a Horse (1984)
• Strangers Abroad – 6 part series (1986)
• The Goddess and the Computer (1988)
• The Last Navigator (1989)
• The Hanging Gardens of Arabia (1990)
• Forbidden Rites – 3 part series (1999)
• Stairway to Heaven – co-director (2007)
• Night Will Fall (2015)
• Where the Wind Blew (2017)
• Meeting Gorbachev (2018)

More of our interviews

Makers of 1,000+ free masks for Richmond key workers

Wine and yoga specialist Sparkling Sophie

advertisement

The newsreaders of Richmond Talking Newspaper

Artisan stallholders at Duck Pond Market

Police chief Sally Benatar on her love for the job

Richmond Nub News aims to support every part of the community – from cafes and shops, individuals and charities, clubs and sports teams.

Is there someone you would like us to interview? Drop us a message on social media or email [email protected]