Black Representation On Screen season of films at QUAD Derby
midlandsmovies • October 18, 2020
Reforming the image: Black Representation On Screen A season of films at QUAD, Derby, in October & November
QUAD in Derby has a selection of films celebrating Black history month in October, and continuing into November, with films representing the future of Black filmmaking talent. Reforming the image: Black Representation On Screen season looks at some of the ways in which the Black representation on screen as changed and adapted to reflect a more authentic depiction of the Black experience.
The season includes with one of the first Black representations on British screens through the work of actor Earl Cameron; work by the Black Film Workshop movement with the Second Sight Film tour and finally some emerging filmmakers who are reshaping a new image of the Black experience at this year’s Derby Film Festival.
Starting off the season, and especially timed for Black History Month, Remembering Earl Cameron includes two ground-breaking film, both directed by Basil Dearden, starring the late Bermuda actor Earl Cameron, who died earlier this year. Cameron broke the colour bar and contributed to the first black representation on the British screen.
Pool Of London follows two sailors Dan Macdonald and Cameron’s Johnny Lambert as they become involved in a diamond Heist in 1950’s London Docklands. Pool Of London (PG) screens in QUAD from 19th to 22nd October.
Sapphire highlights the local tensions and hostility towards West Indian immigrants after the murder of a young woman named Sapphire in London’s Hampstead Heath area. Earl Camron plays Sapphire’s brother Dr. Robbins, a middle class, well-educated doctor, who comes to London eight years later to find out the fate of his sister. In contrast to Pool Of London, Sapphire brings racial identity and stereotypes to the forefront. Sapphire (PG) screens in QUAD from 24th to 27th October.
Second Sight explores the legacy, methods, aesthetics and histories of the UK’s Black Film Workshop Movement, presented as part of a national 2020 film tour from the Independent Cinema Office in association with LUX. Against a backdrop of divisive national politics and civil unrest of 1980’s Britain, a series of radical filmmaking collectives sprung up such as the Ceddo and Sanoka Film and Video workshops.
Dreaming Rivers comes from the Sankofa Film and Video, set up in 1983 and covering politics, gender, sexuality and Black British history. Dreaming Rivers illustrates the spirit of modern families touched by the experience of migration, the film weaves together the ambition-fuelled dreams and memories of Caribbean-born Miss T and her family.
Omega Rising Women Of Rastafari, a ground-breaking documentary, was the first film to explore and challenge myths and stereotypes about the Rastafarian movement and give voice to women of Rastafari, who speak for themselves about their relationship to the movement and its development. Dreaming Rivers & Omega Rising Women Of Rastafari (PG) can be seen at QUAD on Friday 6th November & Monday 9th November.
For more films schedules, information or to book tickets, call QUAD on 01332 290606 or see www.derbyquad.co.uk/ReformingTheImage
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
As someone who has been a fan of indie horror games for over a decade, I was jumping for joy when I first saw the announcement that an indie horror game I really enjoyed was receiving a film adaptation
On a bright Sunday morning at a campsite just off the A52 in rural Staffordshire, you would never have guessed that a run-of-the-mill grass field would soon set the stage for an epic encounter between 15th century armies.
Lacuna is a new short film from Midlands director Sophie Black and explores the sensitive subject of sexual abuse and its many ramifications.