This film is part of Free
Beneath the Surface
A comedy-drama animation about two best friends growing up in the same world but experiencing it completely differently.
Overview
Beneath the Surface is a short stop-motion cut-out and 2D animation fictional film about two friends; Cherelle, mixed-race and Minomi, black, as they reminisce on 25 years of friendship in four minutes with a mixture of voice-over and conversational dialogue. At the heart of it, Beneath the Surface is about the Black British girl experience and existing in our own bodies (even if we don’t want to) in the western world. The film is animated and co-directed by award-winning animator, Jessica Ashman and written and co-directed by Yero Timi-Biu.
The film carves out a fictional narrative about two friends, growing up and co-existing in the same world, but having completely different lives based on prejudices and preconceptions. We explored the character’s access and agency. Yero interviewed multiple focus groups of young black and mixed-race women in the UK who have experienced body dysmorphia, misogynoir, everyday racism and colourism and asked them a series of questions regarding their identity and/or any struggles (if any) they’ve had with themselves. Yero re-wrote these stories by turning them into a short piece of stylised fiction.
Related
Rive Rive
Drama 2017 11 mins
Three friends swap love lessons before one of them plans to propose to his girlfriend.
We Do What We Can We Do What We Can
Drama 2019 9 mins
We Do What We Can is a film that looks at one of the miracles in the journey of diaspora Africans.
Appreciation Appreciation
Drama 2019 14 mins
An African Pentecostal Pastor questions everything she believes after a life-changing event.
Almost An Adult Almost An Adult
Music video 2019 8 mins
A conceptual film following musical artist Jords’ quest to serendipity. The Tree of Life’ is the cornerstone of the film as he battles to triumph through grief.
Secure the Bag Secure the Bag
Drama 2019 17 mins
Best friends Emeka and Joseph find ten thousand pounds inside a bag in a local playground.
Ojumo Ti Mo Ojumo Ti Mo
Documentary 2019 16 mins
Three years after their father passed, a family of four women come together through a series of phone calls spanning over three months.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.