Rye Lane is directed by Raine Allen-Miller and stars Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson (Picture: Getty Images)
Forget what you’ve heard – or not heard – about Black British cinema. Black British directors are making waves across the world and proudly representing us in the process. It’s time we give them their flowers.
According to the British Film Institute, people of colour only make up 3% of the UK film workforce, despite being 17% of the UK’s and 40% of London’s population – where all the action takes place.
Research into racial inequality in the global film industry is lacking but award ceremonies like the recent Oscars regularly spark controversy, which indicates that it’s not fair play for people of colour in the film industry.
In January, Andrea Riseborough’s unexpected nomination for best actress for her performance in To Leslie instead of Viola Davis for The Woman King and Danielle Deadwyler for Till, led to the revival of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag.
And more recently Angela Bassett and Stephanie Hsu’s loss of the best supporting actress award to Jamie Lee Curtis left many people suspecting that white actors producers and directors have the upper hand.
This is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to shine a light on some homegrown talent who are shifting the film industry in the UK that you may not know about.
They’re telling British stories in innovative ways, winning international awards and triumphing in an industry that doesn’t always embrace Black talent, but in the words of Maya Angelou ‘still they rise’.
Raine has received glowing reviews for her London-set rom-com Rye Lane (Picture: Getty Images)
Raine Allen-Miller
Word around town is that British romcoms are making a comeback and Raine Allen-Miller is behind it all.
Rye Lane – available in cinemas from March 17 – is all about newfound friends Yas and Dom who take us on a journey through South London, while getting real about their own relationship troubles, and getting really serious about doing whatever it takes to restore a balance in themselves and each other post-breakups.
The film starring Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson is Raine’s feature film debut.
Raine, 33, had a commercial background, having directed visuals for the likes of Nike, Asos and Squarespace before making a shift to the cinema.
The filmmaker previously told The Voice newspaper that she ‘really wanted south London to be on the big screen, so mission accomplished’. Her directing style is very authentic and gritty but clean. She opted for wider lenses throughout the film in order to showcase south London in all its glory and colour as much as possible, and keep it very authentic.
Alex Igabnoi
Alex Igbanoi was honoured with the best director, best short film and best ensemble awards at the 2022 New York Lift-off Film festival for his film The Half you Hate. The film has been accepted at the Beverley film festival.
The Half …read more
Source:: Metro
