This film is part of Free
You in Your Small Corner
Lloyd Reckord stars as a gifted student confronting the race and class divide in 1960s Brixton.
Overview
This rediscovered ITV Play of the Week offers a rare non-white perspective on Brixton's cultural and ethnic mix. Initially written for the stage by Jamaican-born dramatist Barry Reckord, the play stars his brother, the late Lloyd Reckord, as a gifted student confronting the race and class divide. 1960s south London life is evoked largely through studio-based scenes of a Jamaican social club and white, working-class households.
You in Your Small Corner is bold and frank in its depiction of interracial relationships; though the 1959 play Hot Summer Night can claim the first interracial kiss on broadcast television, this is altogether more explicit. It's passionate and impressively sophisticated in its exploration of the complexities of class and racial prejudice, and deserves its place in the pantheon of early black-authored British drama.
Related
Sixty-four Day Hero: A Boxer's Tale Sixty-four Day Hero: A Boxer's Tale
Biopic 1985 94 mins
The turbulent life and death of championship boxer Randolph Turpin.
Caribbean Restaurant Caribbean Restaurant
Magazine and Review show 1986 7 mins Location: West Bromwich
Bringing the tastes of Montego Bay to a wintry West Bromwich.
Burning Cross Race Attack Burning Cross Race Attack
News 1965 5 mins Location: Handsworth
A stark reminder from Handsworth of the intolerance and hatred that darkened the streets of 1960s Britain.
Gay Black Group Gay Black Group
Magazine and Review show 1983 25 mins Location: Bloomsbury
The Gay Black Group - reasserting culture and identity on two levels.
13 November 1967: Martin Luther King Interview 13 November 1967: Martin Luther King Interview
News 1967 2 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A rare interview with Dr Martin Luther King casts fresh light on black British broadcast history.
Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - I Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - I
Home movie 1960 39 mins Silent Location: Butetown
Tiger Bay in Cardiff's docks area: a successful, multi-cultural community, providing a variety of activities, but which is threatened by 'slum' clearance.
The Homecoming: A Short Film about Ajamu The Homecoming: A Short Film about Ajamu
Drama-documentary 1995 17 mins Location: Brixton
Queer activist and artist Ajamu prepares to leave Brixton for an exhibition of his work in his hometown, Huddersfield
Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Foundation
Documentary 1969 12 mins Location: Brixton
Beach, church and carnival – Chief Inspector of Brixton Police sent to Trinidad to learn about West Indian customs.
Michelle 1st Birthday 1967 Michelle 1st Birthday 1967
Amateur film 1967 5 mins Silent Location: Brixton
Its retro gifts galore at baby Michelle's first birthday party captured in this home movie from Brixton
Christening 1966 Christening 1966
Amateur film 1966 5 mins Silent Location: Brixton
The whole family turns out to celebrate a christening at a local church in Angell Town, Brixton.
The Destructors The Destructors
Documentary 1983 12 mins Location: Brixton
Punk rebellion and anarchy with Peterborough-based punk band The Destructors, six years after their formation.
Pet Crow Pet Crow
Current affairs 1983 3 mins Silent Location: Brixton
A pet crow responds to its owner
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.