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Education (2020)

Rounding off the incredible Small Axe series is Education. Veering away from police discrimination completely and focusing on the mistreatment of black children by the education system. Following schoolboy Kingsley Smith (Kenyah Sandy) who is sent to a school for the “educationally subnormal”, a grotesque term used throughout for children who struggle academically. Kingsley cannot read but is clearly very bright and has been sent to this school due to racial profiling and the lack of support provided for non-white children in mainstream education. Despite the promise of receiving one on one care and a class tailored to his specific needs, what Kingsley enters is a school that deprives its students of any lessons and any respect. The children are neglected with the assumption that they will enter “menial” jobs afterwards that don’t require a formal education. As Kingsley’s mum, Agnes (Sharlene Whyte) begins to question whether her son is really benefitting from his new classes. Along with a local politician, Agnes assists in helping bring the issues of the education system to light.

McQueen’s decision to conclude Small Axe with Education is an interesting one. There have been references to educational discrimination through Small Axe for example at the start of Red, White and Blue when we see a young Leroy Logan forced to undergo a stop and search right outside his school by police whilst wearing his uniform and there are references to Alex’s school performance in Alex Wheatle. This makes the thread into Education flow really nicely and finish the series showing that the problems lie within all systems. Starting with Kingsley at a planetarium with his class as they sit in a presentation on Andromeda which is then contrasted soon after with an English lesson in which he struggles to read an excerpt from Of Mice and Men, it’s clear that Kingsley is a capable student but needs more support from his teachers. Rather than offer more help and guidance, his English teacher chastises him in the middle of class and turns his struggle into a laughing stock. Immediately, we are introduced to the prejudice faced as Kingsley finds it hard to express to his mum why it is that he is being picked on constantly.

McQueen has a knack for picking great newcomers. As Kingsley, Kenyah Sandy is a perfect fit as he conveys that conflict that the character has perfectly. Wanting to please his mum and do well in school, Kingsley starts to miss mainstream education when it’s evident that his new school does not have his best interests at heart. With the help of his mum, sister and a Saturday school set up to help the children who aren’t being supported, Kingsley is given the opportunities that he should have been afforded. Watching the final scene in which he reads aloud to his family is one of great relief and emotion as Kingsley pushes through the doubts of those in the educational system who has wronged him. The maturity that Sandy brings is beyond his years and yet he acts as if he has a full understanding of the gravity of what has gone on.

A lot of the politics within the film is discussed among the adult characters and it is Sharlene Whyte as Kingsley’s mum, Agnes, is my personal highlight. Managing to juggle two jobs and her children’s wellbeing, Agnes may seem dismissive of Kingsley’s objections initially but grows to doubt the education system and their intentions. Whyte’s portrayal of Agnes is subtle and laid in such realism that you feel her struggle and horror as she learns of the racial bias that is happening to towards the black community. The scene in which she is at the group meeting she says few words but Whyte conveys a lot more through her expressions that words aren’t needed.

It goes without saying that watching Small Axe has been consistently thought-provoking and educational as well as captivating through McQueen’s impeccable talent for storytelling. I have said before how he is one of the most exciting filmmakers working in the industry today and releasing a feature film anthology series was a bold move that has paid off. Much like his initial career as an artist, McQueen is constantly pushing the envelope and developing new ways to convey a story through film in different ways. This is what is so exciting and it feels revolutionary to watch Small Axe. The brilliance of all five films, and Education in particular, is that they retain their impact even when watched on the.small screen which shows the mastery behind the writing and directing.

What did you think of Education? Let me know in the comments below!

Education is showing along with the rest of the Small Axe films on BBC iPlayer!

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Alex Wheatle (2020)

The penultimate film in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology series is named after a prominent figure of the Brixton riots that took place in 1981. Alex Wheatle sees the titular character (Sheyi Cole) serving a sentence after partaking in the riots and connecting with his roommate, Simeon (Robbie Gee) as he shares his story from his troubled upbringing in the system to adulthood where he starts to learn his roots and how that fits into the modern day society where the police are constantly mistreating minorities on a regular basis. Just like the other films in this series, Alex Wheatle is another unflinching look into the ordinary life of a black man.

Like the previous installment, Red, White and Blue, Alex Wheatley decides to chronicle a specific person’s experience rather than an event as found in the first two films. Where Alex Wheatle differs from its predecessor is it goes into detail of how racial prejudice is evident in the social services system. From the moment he is put in social services’ care, it is clear that Alex has entered a system that doesn’t care for him. From the constant physical abuse and daily beratement, Alex’s struggle to fit in at school and have a healthy home life is basically impossible from the outset. McQueen shifts between the present and past so we can see the parallels between Alex’s child and adulthood even if the events are different.

Sheyi Cole is fantastic as Alex, playing him from his teenage years to adulthood. With the film itself being named after his character and being onscreen for the majority of the time, it could be easy for a newcomer to struggle to remain consistently captivating but Cole does a brilliant job. From Alex’s time during childhood in a foster home where he was abused and picked on constantly by the matron because he is black to his time among the black community as an adult where he is an outcast as he doesn’t acknowledge his blackness or know his roots. Alex goes on a journey to find his identity and over time he is shaped by the people around him becoming more comfortable in himself and aware the political climate.

As Alex’s cell mate, Simeon, Robbie Gee also pulls off a flawless performance. Simeon acts as Alex’s polar opposite. A Rastafari who is completely aware of himself and his identity, Simeon encourages Alex to read a wide range of literature to better himself when it comes to his views on the world. Acting as the inspiration for Alex to become a writer, his presence is so integral to the plot and development of Alex’s character. He is also the catalyst to Alex’s built up tension and anger as his ongoing hunger strike leads to a bout of diarrhea which causes Alex to lash out due to the smell. Naturally Simeon manages to calm Alex and ask him to share his story. Simeon is a character created from Wheatle’s memories as he acted as a consultant for the script meaning that you get the full story from his perspective.

Reaching into another area of London, Alex Wheatle shows that these communities are connected by the thread of racism and prejudice that is thrust upon them by systems that are meant to serve and protect them. Focusing on the person rather than the riots also made sure that the audience fixation remains on Wheatle whereas in Mangrove, the actual protest is such an important part of showcasing the injustice the whole group faced. Another interesting choice by McQueen was not immediately divulging what Alex’s crime actually was so we can naturally see the events of Alex’s life unfold without actually knowing what to expect except for the fact that he ends up in prison.

What did you think of Alex Wheatle? Let me know in comments below!

Alex Wheatle and the rest of the Small Axe films are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now!

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Top 5 Films of 2020

2020 has certainly been a whirlwind of a year for many reasons thanks due to global pandemic. Like many others within the film community, I have found solace in films during the difficult times and the closure of cinemas have resulted in the majority of new releases being released onto streaming services. My website has seen huge growth and I feel more confident in my writing now thanks to all of the support. This year also saw me review my first lot of film festivals with London Film Festival and Raindance Film Festival providing unforgettable experiences.

As a lot of people begin to post their Best of 2020, I thought I would do the same. Rather than do a top 10, I thought I would do a top 5 instead (it’ll become clear why when you see my choices). Bear in mind that I am counting films that were released after this year’s awards season so films like Parasite won’t be included (if I had included them, it would have to be a top 30 and I don’t have the time sorry!). I will be writing a mini review for each but my full reviews that be accessed by clicking the links.

Before I commence my top 5, I want to give an honourable mention goes to Pedro Almodóvar’s spectacular short film, The Human Voice. As my list consists of feature length films, I thought I would mention The Human Voice here. Featuring a stellar Tilda Swinton performance (as if she delivers anything less!), it’s a fantastic glimpse into the deterioration of a woman whose life slowly becomes to fall apart as she comes to terms with the end of her relationship. You can read my fuller review for The Human Voice here.

Without further ado, here are my top 5 films of the year:

5) Soul

Kicking off this list is the first of two animation choices. In a year of strong animation output, Pixar’s Soul was the most discussed, especially since their awards attention was going to be pushed onto this film more than Onward which was released just before lockdown. Just when you thought Pixar couldn’t get bigger with their imagination, they got Pixar legend Pete Docter in to direct yet another masterpiece. A film that delves deep into one man’s life and his purpose, Soul is mesmerising in both its animation and narrative. At times abstract and bizarre, it feels artistic at times thanks to the limitless minds at Pixar which is what makes the studio so exciting. Boasting an A list cast and a score to die for (pun intended), Soul kicks off this list with hugely high standard.

4) Small Axe

So my number 4 choice is a tad controversial as I have given it to Steve McQueen’s revolutionary anthology film series Small Axe rather than a specific film from the collection. Hear me out though! I initially had compiled a top 10 and unsurprisingly, it was overwhelmed with the films from Small Axe and so I wanted to acknowledge McQueen’s phenomenal cinematic achievement in one go. Spanning several decades and showing the discrimination faced by the West Indies community in London, Small Axe explores well known stories such as first installment Mangrove and lesser known issues as seen in the concluding installment Education. Each film as good as the last, McQueen is one of the most exciting directors working today (you can read my article on his films here). He is a fearless filmmaker who isn’t afraid to confront the racial issues head on, whether that is through the realistic brutality endured at the hands of the police sworn to protect or the vile discriminatory language used to belittle the community. Small Axe is an anthology series that has flipped the script on how filmmaking can be perceived as well as making that important statement that the issues explored haven’t completely gone away.

3) Da 5 Bloods

It couldn’t be a proper top 5 without the incredible Spike Lee. Following on the flawless Blackkklansman with the equally stellar Da 5 Bloods, Lee takes us through the African-American experience in Vietnam during the war and its aftermath. Following 4 men returning to Vietnam to locate their fellow soldier’s body, Da 5 Bloods is a film that makes it statement, showcasing the struggle of men who fought for a country that treats them unfairly. Mixing in different forms of film to provide a wider historical perspective, Lee is a true master of making his films into political statements that have plenty to say. His films are made to show the disturbance within a system that is sworn to protect its people. The racial discord is clearly one that is still evident today and those connections from the Vietnam War to now is evident in how Da Bloods are treated throughout the film. Disrespected wherever they go, the men can only find true solace in each other because no one else has had their experience both in the literal war and racial war.

2) I’m Thinking of Ending Things

My number 2 pick takes us deep into the wonderful world of writer-director-genius Charlie Kaufman with his adaptation of I’m Thinking of Ending Things. In true Kaufman style, what begins as a straightforward narrative in which an unnamed woman (Jessie Buckley) contemplates ending her relationship with partner, Jake (Jesse Plemons) soon turns into a winding labyrinth into the subconscious where reality and fiction and time and space become completely fluid to the point where nothing really makes sense. Eventually, the woman’s name is changed on a regularly basis and the tone shifts from drama and comedy to thriller and suspense. It’s a film that doesn’t allow you to glance away for a moment. Kaufman really is one of a kind but it is his mind and imagination that has drawn fans in again and again. His films are entirely up to interpretation so one person may take something from the film whereas the person next to them will take another. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a film you will either love or hate but the bottom line is you will feel strongly about it one way or other.

1) Wolfwalkers

Just as we begun the top 5 with an animation, we’ll end it with an animation as well. Easily my top pick for this year is the incredible Wolfwalkers. Cartoon Saloon’s latest offering is beautiful beyond words and becomes even more magical on every rewatch. Available now on Apple TV, not only does it deserve to sweep the animation categories, it fully deserves to be a contender among the Best Picture nominees when the time comes. I go into more detail on my review which you can access by clicking the film title but be assured that Wolfwalkers is a film that will impact you long after viewing it. From the contrasting artistic styles to showcase the conflicts within the film to the spellbinding music, Wolfwalkers is a film that provides escapism while also incorporating important life lessons and folklore in a way that is engaging to audiences of all ages.

While this year has been one full of challenges and sadness, film can always be a portal to escape those troubles for an hour or two. Despite the closure of cinemas, this has been an extremely strong year for film and the upcoming awards season has proved to show huge competition, particularly in the acting, directing and writing categories. A year of diversity across all mediums has shown the desire and importance to create films from cast and crew from varying background. Not only does this give something different to what the usually white mainstream cinema is accustomed to but the differing perspective makes way for revolutionary discussion and helps to break those barriers.

What were your favourite films this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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Red, White and Blue (2020)

The third installment of Steve McQueen’s revolutionary Small Axe anthology series is Red, White and Blue chronicling the career of Leroy Logan, a forensic scientist turned police officer who aims to tackle racism in the system by encouraging more non-white people to join the force. His goal to fix the system does not come without challenges as his colleagues are openly racist and his own friends and family look down on him for joining the force. Whereas the previous two films in the series have looked at how black people were treated from their side explicitly and what Red, White and Blue does is show how black people were treated from within the police force itself.

Just as McQueen explores the racism at the hands of the police in the previous two films, we get an even more intense and first-hand perspective through PC Logan’s point of view. Despite excelling as an officer, his unwillingness to accept the racist treatment handed out by his colleagues costs him promotions and eventually leads to endangerment when they ignore Logan’s pleas for backup when he is pursuing and attacked by an armed suspect. Whether he is part of the force or not, Logan is treated as a suspect despite having not committed any crimes just as he was searched in his school uniform as a child. McQueen only covers the beginning of PC Logan’s career rather than presenting a full span of his incredible achievements but it works because we really get into the brutalityand prejudice that he faced when he initially joined. If McQueen had decided to do a full blown biopic then maybe certain significant events would have been overlooked which would undermine PC Logan’s struggle to have his voice heard by a force that historically doesn’t wish to hear it.

John Boyega’s lead performance as PC Leroy Logan is fantastically layered. Aiming to change the system from the inside out, Leroy experience racial attacks from his white colleagues at the force and hatred from the black community who view him as a traitor for joining the police. With Boyega being a huge advocate for the anti-racist movement, it is a clear match in heaven for McQueen to work with him. Honestly, it’s a collaboration I have been wanting for years and it paid off. Boyega is such a charismatic actor that his success in the Star Wars films can make people overlook his range but he is stellar and carries the film on his shoulders. Showcasing the building frustration and conflict that PC Logan felt as he was attacked from both the police who believe he should accept their racism and those in the black community who view him as a traitor. The scene in which he confronts his colleagues in the locker room after discovering abuse scrawled on his locker is hugely intense and marks a turning point in which Logan becomes more active and vocal about his goal to end racism within the force.

The scene in which PC Logan pursues the armed suspect is an amazingly shot scene. A single running shot showing Logan making his way through an industrial printing factory floor by himself highlights the problems that he faced perfectly. He apprehends the suspect alone after requesting backup numerous times but does not receive the support of his fellow officers. Whereas Logan is indirectly punished for speaking out against their racism, the other officers do not face punishment for abandoning him in the field despite being a street away. This scene hammers home how Logan had to build himself up without the help and support given to his white coworkers. It’s a scene of little dialogue except when Logan is desperately asking for help. Still he pushes forward and the tension builds and builds until he is attacked and manages to arrest the perpetrator.

Red, White and Blue may not have received as much coverage as Mangrove and Lovers Rock have but it deserves a viewing just as much. Telling the story of a man who introduced important change within the police force and encouraged new rules for how people of colour were treated by the police is something that has been grossly overlooked by the media at whole. Steve McQueen is telling these stories now so other people can take inspiration from their struggles and achievements and make their own changes.

What did you think of Red, White and Blue? Let me know in the comments below!

Red, White and Blue is available to view on BBC iPlayer now!

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Small Axe (2020)

One of the most exciting releases of the year comes in the form of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology series. Consisting of five films that explore the racial tensions during the late twentieth century in the West Indies community London, Small Axe is an achievement worthy of much awards discussion. I have written on McQueen’s previous feature films which you can read here. With Small Axe, McQueen only proves further why he is one of the most exciting and fearless directors working today.

Since their release, I have been working my way through the Small Axe reviews and will link them below for easiness. Having them all in this post will make the website look a lot tidier so for my thoughts on each individual film, simply click on the film names below!

Here are the links to my reviews for each of the Small Axe films:

Mangrove

Lovers Rock

Red, White and Blue

Alex Wheatle

Education

What did you think of the Small Axe series? Let me know in the comments below!

All films in the Small Axe series are available to view on BBC iPlayer!

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2021 Awards Season

It goes without saying that the pandemic has certainly flipped every sector of life upside down. In terms of films, we have seen the industry reach a point where the fate of cinemas will now be in the hands of 2021. In the meantime, we have seen the majority of award frontrunners released on streaming websites, particularly Netflix who have a huge chunk of award worthy films this time around. The topic of streaming service films being up for major awards has been subject of much debate. I personally think that a film that can transfer the emotion and grandeur from the big screen to small screen and still keep its impact is a hugely difficult challenge and commend filmmakers who are able to do so.

Bearing this in mind, in the 13 years I have actively followed awards season, watching films for this awards season is turning out to be a unique experience. I love the fact that I can revisit the films for multiple views whenever I want. That being said, I cannot wait for cinemas to reopen and experience the full magic of the movies again.

I’ll be discussing my award season predictions in a week or so when I have watched a few more but for now, I’ll be leaving the links to the reviews I have written thus far and add to them as my film list grows.

Here is the list:

Ammonite

Another Round

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Crip Camp

Da 5 Bloods

The Dig

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

The Father

The Forty-Year-Old Version

Hillbilly Elegy

The Human Voice – short film

I Care a Lot

I’m Thinking of Ending Things

Judas and the Black Messiah

The Life Ahead

Lovers Rock

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Malcolm and Marie

Mangrove

Mank

The Midnight Sky

Minari

Nomadland

On the Rocks

One Night in Miami

Palm Springs

Pieces of a Woman

The Prom

Promising Young Woman

Saint Maud

Soul

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

The White Tiger

Wolfwalkers

There are so many more films for me to see and I am very excited. I’ll be posting links to those reviews in this article as well so you can follow any updates here.

Which film has been your favourite so far? Any potential Oscar winners on your list? Let me know in the comments below!

Most importantly, stay safe and happy holidays!

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London Film Festival 2020: Roundup

With London Film Festival concluding today and all of my reviews done and dusted, I thought I would write this post to roundup my experience. Being my first film festival, I was so excited to be apart of something I have been a fan of for years. Looking at the lineup, it seemed that there were four major films: Steve McQueen’s Mangrove, Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland, Pete Docter’s Soul and Francis Lee’s Ammonite and I was determined to see at least two of these. Luckily I was able to see Mangrove and Ammonite on the screenings but sadly wasn’t successful in the ballot to see Nomadland and I don’t live in London to see Soul. However, I was thrilled with all the films I watched. I decided that my target was to watch 10 films and make them as varied as I could. In total, I watched 12 films and this includes documentaries, shorts, animation, drama, horror, foreign language, etc. There wasn’t one film that disappointed me and many standouts that I hope go on to receive award recognition and open new doors to create more films.

Overall, what stood out to me was the quality of the writing in the films I watched which was absolutely fantastic. The creativity and originality of the films I watched shows that the industry isn’t failing and there is room for films that push boundaries. From adaptations to original pieces, each film was so distinctive and unique that I was so pleased with how many well-rounded characters there were.

I thought it would be fun to come up with my personal winners from the Festival from the films I watched. As I previously said, there were no disappointments so this will be tricky. I have also added a special Shoutout category because the winner of this gave two brilliant performances and has clearly had a stellar year. I wanted to recognise this with their own special category.

Here are the Smaller Pictures Winners of London Film Festival:

Best Picture – Wolfwalkers

Best Director – Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart for Wolfwalkers

Best Leading Actor – Riz Ahmed for Mogul Mowgli

Best Leading Actress – Tilda Swinton for The Human Voice

Best Supporting Actor – Fazlur Rahman Babu for The Salt in Our Waters (Nonajoler Kabbo)

Best Supporting Actress – Letitia Wright for Mangrove

Best Original Screenplay – Will Collins for Wolfwalkers

Best Adapted Screenplay – Pedro Almodóvar for The Human Voice

Best Documentary Feature – One Man and His Shoes

Best Original Score – Jim Williams for Possessor

Best Song – “Running with the Wolves”, AURORA from Wolfwalkers

Best Cinematography – Stéphane Fontaine for Ammonite

Best Editing – Matthew Hannam for Possessor

Best Production Design – Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart and Maria Pareja for Wolfwalkers

Best Costume Design – Michael O’Connor for Ammonite

Best Hair and Makeup – The Human Voice

Special Shoutout Winner – Sean Bean for Wolfwalkers and Possessor

London Film Festival has given me some amazing memories and been a highlight of my year and a brilliant opportunity that I am so grateful for. I am also so excited to announce that I will be reviewing films from the upcoming Raindance Film Festival at the end of this month so my Festival journey hasn’t ended just yet!

So that’s it for my little awards section and roundup! Which film are you looking forward to seeing the most? Let me know in the comments below!

Just in case you want to read my reviews for the films, I have included them below. I really recommend watching all of them:

Ammonite

Farewell Amor

Herself

The Human Voice

Lovers Rock

Mangrove

Mogul Mowgli

One Man and His Shoes

Possessor

The Salt in Our Waters (Nonajoler Kabbo)

Siberia

Wolfwalkers

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London Film Festival 2020: Lovers Rock

The last film on my list brings the whole Festival to full circle as it ends with the second episode of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series named Lovers Rock. The film spans a single evening taking place at a house party in Ladbroke Grove and, much like Mangrove, serves as a safe place for the black community to gather. Following protagonist Martha (Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn), a young woman who sneaks out of her house to attend the party. The party is fun at first as she dances with her friend Patty but soon enough the darker undercurrents start to seep through as she is harassed by men at the party as well as a group of white men outside. Her experience ties in with the darker experiences of other partygoers, mainly women. Patty leaves because she doesn’t want to be left alone with a stranger and another woman, Cynthia, is raped by a man who had harassed Martha earlier.

Despite its short 68 minute running time, McQueen makes the best of this time by creating a complex intertwining of relationships in the short duration of events. Martha’s experience is one that spreads across many emotions from elation at attending the party with her best friend, Patty to the fear of being harassed by a fellow partygoer to the horror of the violence. The script written by McQueen and Courttia Newland is compact and wastes no time in getting into the rush of party preparation while allowing some time for the characters to naturally flourish in the second act before violence kicks off. This short snippet of time exposes us to a lot of characterisation and actually gives us a good idea of who Martha is and what kind of person she is. The shift in gender dynamic is brilliantly done as the women lead the party by dancing on their own but after the incredible “Silly Games” scene which I will discuss later, the party is overrun by the men who are frantic. As night goes on, the party becomes more aggressive and violent until the walls seem like they are closing in, making for a claustrophobic experience. The safe place doesn’t feel so secure any more to Martha.

Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn is brilliant as lead character, Martha. A normal woman who is excited to party with her friend but has a strength that means she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. What St. Aubyn does so well is bringing out Martha’s character little by little through actions and mannerisms. When Cynthia is raped, Martha is unafraid to stand up for her and stop him. Even when he squares up to her and towers over her, she stands tall. You would not think that this is St. Aunbyn’s first leading role as she is so natural in the role. It’s a great character arc as well. From a timid young woman sneaking out to party to the final shot of her sneaking back in a d clearly feeling changed from her experience. We see the changes that she has experienced on her face in those final moments.

In the supporting role we have Micheal Ward as fellow partygoer, Franklyn, who proves to be a perfect match for St. Aubyn. The interaction between the two works perfectly as they bounce off each other. Franklyn acts as a fly on the wall to the party. He doesn’t partake in the men’s dancing and is dedicated to making sure Martha is safe despite having never met her before this night. Ward isn’t in it that much but his presence and protection can be felt when Martha is wandering around the party. The final scenes in which he is in where he encounters his boss who is unhappy that he brought Martha to the shop bring the microcosm of the party to the outside world. Franklyn serves as Martha’s guide for the party and arguably to life, introducing her to a world that she hasn’t encountered before.

The highlight scene is when Samson, the DJ, cuts the music to get the attendees to sing “Silly Games” by Janet Kay accapella and it is a wonderful choice. The partygoers keep dancing and create the rhythm together in a way that highlights the tightness of the community. McQueen really is a genius when it comes to intertwining art forms in his films and this is a great way of incorporating music in a way we haven’t seen before. Because the music has been so continuous as well it helped to slow the pace down for a little bit as the shift from fun to chaos ensues.

The music choices in Lovers Rock provides the ongoing flow for the episode and adds to the frantic nature of the party. An eclectic mix of lovers rock, reggae and blues, Lovers Rock is brimming with black music and it is a brilliant soundtrack. The hectic and continuing nature of the music becomes synonymous with the action as though it is playing an active role.

Lovers Rock closes the London Film Festival on the 18th October and will show on BBC One in the United Kingdom on

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London Film Festival 2020: Mangrove

The big opener for this year’s London Film Festival comes in the form of Mangrove, directed and co-written by the incredible Steve McQueen. Mangrove is the first episode of McQueen’s Small Axe miniseries due to premiere on BBC next month. The series explores racism in Britain throughout the years with all episodes based on true stories. McQueen is one of my favourite directors so Mangrove was one of my must-sees of this year’s festival. I have previously written about McQueen’s filmography which you can read here. Mangrove tells the story of the titular restaurant, a black owned business that is constantly harassed and raided by the police from the moment it opens. The Mangrove becomes a safe haven for people of colour to be and this creates concern within the corrupt police system, particularly at the hands of PC Frank Pulley, who seems determined beyond reason to bring the Mangrove to the ground.

Shaun Parkes’ leading performance of Frank Crichlow is captivating and powerful in his aim to bring forth the struggle. All Frank wants to do is run a business but the police are unwilling to allow this to happen and will do anything to shut the Mangrove down. Initially Frank is reluctant to use the Black Panthers’ assistance as he would prefer to avoid politics but he begins to understand that the Mangrove itself is political and he can’t avoid it no matter how hard he tries. What transpires is the coming together of the black community in an effort to exploit the brutality of the police by organising a protest that begins at the Mangrove establishment. Parkes’ portrayal of Frank is moving and poignant in these uncertain times. As minorities are persecuted and stopped in the street for no reason or than the colour of their skin, Frank’s story is just as important now as it was then. McQueen’s parallels with the 1970s is clear and makes Mangrove a protest piece in itself.

Letitia Wright is stunning as Altheia Jones-LaCointe, a prominent figure in the British Black Panthers movement. As expected, she is a strong woman who seeks equality for minorities. We first see her persuading factory workers to join a union so their voices can be heard. Wright provides a powerhouse performance and this is perfectly shown in the scene when she gives her speech at the Mangrove protest. She is riveting and makes her presence known, a real force to be reckoned with. Wright’s career has gone from strength to strength in recent years and it’s brilliant to see her collaborate with Steve McQueen. She is perfectly cast as Altheia and brings that passion and fire required for the role.

The supporting cast also do a phenomenal job led by Malachi Kirby who plays activist, Darcus Howe and Sam Spruell who plays Constable Frank Pulley, an instigator of the racism towards the black community. Alex Jennings also does a great job as the upper class and uptight Judge Edward Clarke, whose bias towards the police is soon shattered as the corruption begins to seep through during the trial. The details put into everyone’s character becomes distinct and identifiable as the Mangrove Nine go to trial.

McQueen’s handling of the protest scene is done perfectly. To reflect its chaotic nature, McQueen makes use of multiple observational shots from all kinds of angles, including the observation slot in the police car. When Altheia is delivering her speech, a part of the shot centres on her shadow on a nearby car in the rain. It’s the kind of shot you would see in a cinematic feature but it works extremely well here. The power of the protesters against the police is built up and soon enough the latter begins to fight back and take away placards and signs. The brutally of the police here is delivered in a fully real way in true McQueen fashion, unflinching and unapologetic.

Despite being made for TV, McQueen does a fantastic job of making Mangrove feel like a cinematic experience. As I have previously said, he has never put a foot wrong and the passion he has for this project is evident. The detail in character development to song choices and the perfectly balanced script allows Mangrove to show the people behind the trial and the importance of their fight against the police.

Mangrove will air in the United Kingdom on BBC One on the 15th November.