Projects in genres: Black

Synopsis

An immigrant resorts to desperate measures while living in London, in a bid to convince his family back home that he is living the rich life they expect of him.

Synopsis

Selected for Cannes 2005, festival favourite Kim Longinotto's latest work (co-directed with Florence Ayisi) is a totally fascinating - often hilarious - look at the work of one small courthouse in south-west Cameroon. The two women at the heart of the documentary wouldn't be out of place in an Alexander McCall Smith bestseller. As the State Counsel and Court President, they dispense wisdom, wisecracks and justice in fair measure. The victims of crime - an abused child, a woman daring to accuse a man of rape, and another trying to end a brutal marriage in a society where divorce is taboo - are handled with fierce compassion. You'll feel like cheering when justice is served. (Sydney Film Festival)

Synopsis

The story of the Gospels re-told as a tale of corruption and redemption in contemporary Africa. The narrative unveils a portrait of a man of our time whose currency is the politics of compassion. It is a gripping journey of love, deception and betrayal in a conflicted society.

Synopsis

The Trousseau is a moving story of a young British woman Ama, who returns to her birthplace in Ghana after receiving news of her mother's sudden death. She is met by her three stern clanswomen who doubt very much if she capable of taking the place of her frail grandmother during the funeral preparations. Defying tradition she proves them wrong and begins to find expression of her grief in the ritual preceding the funeral, ensuring that her mother appears in death as she did in life.

Synopsis

Tree Fellers is the story of the 900 Belizean lumberjacks who in 1942 left the tropical rainforests of British Honduras to help Britain fight fascism by felling trees in Scotland. Sam (93), Eric (87) and Amos (86) were among those who stayed on after the war to make new lives in a country where, for better or worse, the colour of their skin marked them out. Newly discovered archive, long-cherished memories and a last reunion are intertwined in this lyrical and moving documentary testament.

Synopsis

Based on the book by acclaimed author and playwright Athol Fugard, this deeply affecting film traces six days in the life of a ruthless young gang leader who shoots a woman outside her home and steals her car, unaware, in his panic, that her baby is in the back seat. Pumping with the high energy of Zola's 'Kwaito' music, Tsotsi is an extraordinary and gritty contemporary portrait of ghetto life set amidst the sprawling Johannesburg townships.  

Synopsis

This debut feature film, written, choreographed and directed by its leading man, the black dancer Rodreguez King-Dorset, shows a creative dance artist in a desperate search for identity in a white-dominated country. The film depicts the lives of two boys in England in the 1980s, one a newly arrived African, the other an Afro-Caribbean, and highlights the ethnic tensions between their respective groups. The young black Briton, Lewis, has to face scorn and misunderstanding from his father when he tries to become a professional dancer. Lewis has a close friendship with the African, Ramsey, and a rewarding relationship with an Afro-Caribbean girlfriend, Maudi. His African friend is imprisoned for a killing he was forced into in sheer self-defence, and this only adds to Lewis’s confusion. He sets out to create a solo dance, which embodies some of his emotions. Finally he shows himself being questioned by an external examiner in the final stages of his thesis for a DPhil. He makes a spirited defence of his views to a sceptical examiner and the film shows in flashbacks some of what is going on in his head as he formally protests to his examiner.

Synopsis

As a young couple discuss the idea of giving up smoking, the sounds of a neighbouring argument spill into their flat. The argument makes them question their own marriage, while doing nothing about the neighbouring situation. Meanwhile, a young teenager argues with his mother as he tries to sneak out to a party with friends. His mother blackmails him into staying home, using his guilt against him.

Synopsis

Based on true events, Why Me? is a poetic short film that delves into the emotional world of an 11-year-old, known only as Boy, who goes through a painful awakening when he discovers that there is no such thing as the 'perfect' family.

Synopsis

Nathan has been travelling for nine months following university. He returns home to the depths of Devon with his beautiful girlfriend, Chrissie, with whom he is obviously in love. However, although his return is eagerly anticipated by his class-conscious family (and particularly father), what they do not know is that Chrissie is black. (Past Present Future) Imperfect explores the clash between new liberal Britain and old-England, where beauty is only skin deep.   This is the second feature from Bristol-based writer/producer Guy de Beaujeu (Living in Hope). He has teamed up with director Roger Thorp to create a dark family drama that will amuse and distress in equal measure. (Past Present Future) Imperfect  is a muti-layered film that stars a selection of the best of British acting talent.

Synopsis

2Be is an original, dynamic, musical-documentary about human rights.   Filmed over a period of five months, 2Be follows students from Abbeydale Grange School in Sheffield, UK - a school where over 51 different languages are spoken - as they develop a series of musical sequences about human rights.   The contrast between their revealing personal stories and triumphant performances creates an intimate and inspiring documentary.

Synopsis

A detailed behind ths scenes documentary on how to make an ultra-low budget short film. From rehearsing with professional boxers to the final shoot.   Players include professional boxers such as Ricky Hatton W.B.U. lightweight champion, Michael Gomez British super featherweight champion. Shooting at locations such as the Salford Lads Club - where The Smiths shot their front cover.