A brilliant and important film that for many years since its 1980 release has languished, little-seen until the last decade. Babylon fleshes out the experiences of inner-city black Britons, the joyous release of sound systems, and the deep British racism that landed hard from several sources. Inspired by the great producer Dennis Bovell’s wrongful imprisonment, the story sees Brixton dub reggae DJ Blue pursue his art while struggling against the prejudice of neighbours, National Front, police and his employer. Few films were ever this good at depicting black life in Thatcher’s Britain. Screening with the UK premiere of the Jamaican short Flight by Kia Moses and Adrian McDonald, selected by the Jamaica Film and Television Association.
Screening as part of One Love from Jamaica at LIFF 2022, presented in partnership with Jamaica Society Leeds and the Jamaica Film and Television Association.
