This film is part of Rentals
Blacks Britannica
British racism is discussed in the context of the class struggle in this powerful American documentary.
Director: David Koff
Overview
This film, made for American television, has been described as "a harsh, relentless and passionate indictment of the British ruling class." It discusses the history of Black people in Britain since the era of colonialism, which led to mass migration to the UK, through to the 1970s, a time in which the film describes the Black community as being "the new underclass" of the British working class.
Blacks Britannica was commissioned by US public broadcaster WGBH (Boston), as part of its World series. The intention of the weekly series was "to help Americans take off their special American glasses and look at the world through the eyes of others." However, Blacks Britannica generated controversy among WGBH's executives and its transmission was postponed until a re-edited version had been produced. The programme's executive producer, David Fanning, later told Newsweek: "I was concerned with the film's endorsement of a Marxist viewpoint." This is the re-edited version held in the BFI National Archive.
Related
Lives of Artists Not Wives of Artists Lives of Artists Not Wives of Artists
Campaigning film 1984 46 mins Director: Sue Aron, Monika Morawietz and Rowena Rowling
Five women artists, including Paula Rego, contest the "hierarchy of art forms" in the male-dominated art world.
Chi-Raq Chi-Raq
Musical 2015 127 mins Director: Spike Lee
Spike Lee’s bold and vivacious hip-hop musical restages an ancient Greek battle-of-the-sexes in 21st-century Chicago.
Yardie Yardie
Crime 2018 102 mins Director: Idris Elba
In his thrilling directorial debut, Idris Elba brings to life Victor Headley’s cult crime novel.
Monsters and Men Monsters and Men
Drama 2018 96 mins Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Unravelling the aftermath of a police killing of a black man - and how it affects the lives of three separate individuals. With John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman).
Night Comes On Night Comes On
Drama 2018 87 mins Director: Jordana Spiro
After being released from prison, a young African American woman goes in search of her father.
Amazing Grace Amazing Grace
Documentary 2019 89 mins Director: Alan Elliott and Sydney Pollack
Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, returns to the music which nurtured her prodigious talent.
Premature Premature
Drama 2019 90 mins Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green
Budding writer Ayanna’s life is transformed over the course of one hot Harlem summer, when a handsome and mysterious stranger walks into her life.
Our Mothers Our Mothers
Drama 2019 77 mins Director: César Díaz
As Guatemala confronts its violent past, a forensic anthropologist is tasked with identifying the dead, in this affecting Cannes prize-winning drama.
Red Herring Red Herring
Documentary 2023 94 mins Director: Kitson Vincent
Following his terminal diagnosis, young filmmaker Kit Vincent sets out to document an intimate and darkly humorous journey in this BIFA nominated documentary.
Robot Dreams Robot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 103 mins Director: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
Stephen Stephen
Drama-documentary 2023 78 mins Director: Melanie Manchot
Artist Melanie Manchot’s debut feature is a visually striking film-within-a-film, exploring mental health and addiction.
Red Island Red Island
Drama 2023 117 mins Director: Robin Campillo
French writer-director Robin Campillo offers a searching exploration of memory and politics, in this boldly conceived story of boyhood in 1970s Madagascar.
Drift Drift
Drama 2023 93 mins Director: Anthony Chen
Cynthia Erivo delivers a captivating performance as a young refugee, who after fleeing war-torn Liberia finds hope when she meets a fellow lost soul.