Dir. Franco Rosso

1980, UK, Italy. 95 mins

David N. Haynes , Trevor Laird, Victor Romero Evans

A rare chance to see this classic film about Black Britain on the big screen. With its fierce portrayal of the racism facing young black men and its fabulous reggae soundtrack, Babylon’ is a prescient view of society at the dawn of Thatcherism that remains just as relevant today.

Reggae ‘toaster ‘Blue’ and his crew, Ital Lion, are looking forward to an upcoming sound clash competition with a rival sound system. As the day of the competition draws closer, Blue faces escalating pressures from the police and local racists and his life begins to unravel both at home and on the street. Eventually his sense of frustration and isolation from society leads him to drastic actions. Set and shot in 1979 South London, this superbly acted, coming-of-age tale brilliantly captures an emerging subculture and an important moment in British social history. On its initial release Babylon’s subversive spirit was met with bewilderment —hinting at why this British cult classic remains tragically underseen. 

Screening in partnership with The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, who hold the production archive on Babylon’,  to mark Black History Month this film will be introduced by Dr Clive Nwonka, Associate Professor in Film, Culture and Society at University College, London. Clive is the author of ‘Black Film/British Cinema II’ and the forthcoming ‘Black Boys: The Aesthetics of British Urban Film’ and has authored reports on race and the British film industry.

 VENUE: EXETER PHOENIX