Project Detail

Bel Heir of the Cursed

Synopsis

At the age of five, Beldina and her family moved from Kisumu, Kenya to a small town in rural Dumfriesshire, Scotland. As her sister Leah explains “One flight from Nairobi, and Bel became a black person, before she was just a person”. In the 1990s as the only black family in their community, Bel grew up being “othered and marginalised, and questioning her worth”. The effects of this racism had an immeasurable impact on Bel’s mental health and her desire to be seen and heard. In telling Bel’s story, this film exposes the experience of being Black and Scottish.
Bel expressed her feelings and thoughts in her obsessive writings and songwriting. This film explores how, despite her incredible gifts, it was still almost impossible for a Black woman to break through.
In the past, a diary might form the basis for a biography, however Bel left a phone full of self-shot films and heart-stopping performances. This compelling archive, plus photographs, diaries and notebooks, brings Bel to life - combined with interviews with those who knew Bel best to create an insightful picture of a darkly humoured, supremely talented, troubled but joyous Kenyan-Scottish black woman determined to be heard.

Details

Year: 2026
Type of project: Features
Running time: 89 min
Format: 4k
Director: Lou Lockwood
Producer: Sarah Howitt
Executive Producer: John Archer, Nancy Bornat, David Harron, Emma Loach, Mark Thomas
Editor: Audrey McColligan
Director of Photography: Lou Lockwood, Sarah Howitt, Julian Schwanitz
Composer: Beldina Odenayo, Joe Rattray

Genre

Biography Black Music Scottish Woman Director

Production Status

Post-production

Production Company

Hopscotch Films

John Archer
Film City Glasgow
401, Govan Road
Glasgow
G51 2QJ

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Bel was a Kenyan-Scottish woman who dreamt of singing to the world. A musician, singer and writer, she performed under the stage name, Heir of the Cursed and in 2021 was on the cusp of fame. But just as the world was about to discover her name, Bel took her own life, leaving poignant video diaries and a phone full of amazing songs. A Kenyan-Scottish woman fighting to be heard, a brilliant artist, still largely unknown. Her death, and a small yet beautiful body of work are her story now. Like Nick Drake who died at the age of 26 – Bel’s untimely death has changed her life story – the beginning and middle are in the shadow of its end, and the power and mystery of Bel’s music and life lie in the pathos of this story and its meanings. Whatever led Bel to take her own life was also at the heart of what powered her music, it was a part of who she was. This film tells the story of an artist on the cusp of stardom and her sister Leah’s determination to fulfil Bel's dream: releasing her record and sharing her with the world.

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