Black star and the BFI, bursting with Black talent

Never before in British history as there ever been so much Black talent on the British cinema screens during a three month cinema season.

This type of collaboration is unprecedented and will show case Black actors, Directors and writers from the US, UK and Africa. It is in essence an explosion of Black talent.

There’ll be talks, podcasts, workshops and of course a kaleidoscope of films.

What’s on my list of must-see films? Well I, like you, are spoilt for choice: ‘Queen of Kwate’ is a definite, not just because Lupito N’Yongo plays the starring role. I also want to see ‘United Kingdom’, which like ‘Queen of Kwate ‘ stars another brilliant actor David Oyelowo.

But there are more than a few classics that are worth revisiting too for example, ‘Boy’s in the hood’, and for those old enough such as myself the 1980’s brilliant ‘Babylon’.

Black Star Programmer, Ashley Clark said:

Black Star shows us many stories of black stardom, on both sides of the Atlantic. From cinema’s earliest trail-blazers to today’s transatlantic stars, I’m excited for audiences to enjoy icons, heroes and heroines back on the big screen where they belong.”

This whole project is bold and ambitious and we should support it, not just because these are our stories, but even more than that they are beautifully told.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bGdGqlq2RY

http://www.bfi.org.uk/black-star

Well done to Black Star and the British Film institute .

Simon Woolley