This film is part of Free
Cedar Wood & Silk
Insightful exploration of the relationship between a Jamaican mother and her British-born daughter.
Overview
Differing opinions about fashion spark a vibrant, insightful exploration of the tender relationship between a Jamaican mother and her British-born daughter. Jillian Li-Sue's film deftly weaves together flashbacks to tell mother Florence's story, from her early life in Jamaica to her move to the UK and her skill as a seamstress. Daughter Sandra - who dresses "for comfort, not comments" - resists wearing her elaborate creations, revealing the cultural and generational divide between the two women. Through astute dialogue and rich period imagery, the film explores the ways West Indian heritage is kept alive in the diaspora.
This film was made as part of the Arts Council-funded Black Arts Video Project (1988-1996). Other films in the series included Kanga and The Homecoming: A Short Film About Ajamu, which are also available on BFI Player. Director Jillian Li-Sue's other films include Ursulena's Box (1993) and Songs for Our Daughters (1996), which also explore Caribbean culture and migration to Britain.
Related
I'm British But... I'm British But...
Documentary 1989 29 mins Director: Gurinder Chadha
Britain beats to the sound of Bhangra and Bangla in Gurinder Chadha's debut film.
Motherland Motherland
Documentary 2019 3 mins
Exploring the way in which culture has a fundamental influence within the African Diaspora in London.
Two Dosas Two Dosas
Comedy 2014 16 mins Location: London
Geeky Pavan takes his 'English Rose' on a date to the most authentic Indian restaurant in the city. To his horror she goes off-menu, in Hindi...
Taarof: A Verbal Dance Taarof: A Verbal Dance
Drama 2019 16 mins
When Nazanin attends her estranged fathers funeral she is compelled into womanhood, by rebelling against the ideals of what it is to be an Iranian woman.
Sorry, My Somali Is Not Very Good Sorry, My Somali Is Not Very Good
Drama 2021 3 mins
A look into a young Somali woman who is having difficulties speaking her mother tongue.
Two Two
Documentary 2017 3 mins
Two women discuss the complexities of defining their racial identities.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.