films that changed the trajectory of my life
and how
la haine (1995), mathieu kassovitz
I feel as though this film taught me how to dress—there’s such an incredibly cohesive sense of style that permeates all 98 minutes, and has trickled down through generations since. Seeing this film for the first time on Blu-ray (throwback I know) was what made me realise I wanted to be a filmmaker. I could never watch it too many times.
this is england (2006), shane meadows
Seeing This is England for the first time at 15 was a reintroduction to my position as a black Briton. I’d never before seen myself so clearly depicted, through the eyes of white, British racists. This film is as memorable as it is gut-wrenching. I’ll never forget it. British cinema stays winning.
the triplets of belleville (2003), sylvain chomet
I’m sure I have my Godfather to thank for my peculiar taste in film. There is something magical about one done in silence, only a masterful filmmaker can conjure up empathy for his characters with just a handful of words spoken. I first saw this film at 8 years old and have had a fondness for silent film ever since.
i, daniel blake (2016), ken loach
The only film to exceed the grit of no. 2 is no. 4 on this list. The only thing more violent than the thuggery of white supremacists is the violence the state inflicts on working people—which ironically is the very catalyst to the rise of these groups. There is such an acute tenderness and dignity to the characters in this story. Loach commands the knowledge necessary to understand the working class struggle in modern day Britain—he couldn’t have made this film without it. It doesn’t get more gritty than this.
Full on ugly cried rewatching the trailer for this review, watching this will leave you rageful beyond belief.
moonlight (2016), barry jenkins
This is the black queer representation film of our time. In one fell swoop, Jenkins cracked my brain open and showed me a new type of cinema was possible—a masterclass in subtle acting and colour-work alike. The cherry on top was Moonlight winning Best Picture in that last minute corrected ‘error’–the look on Emma Stone’s face. 2016 was a good year to be black.
o brother, where art thou? (2000), joel and ethan coen
The Coens’ mastery in directing is perfectly encapsulated in O Brother. This film is so incredibly dynamic. Despite the casting and creators, this is a black film to me; from the music to the setting to the cadence to the theme of resilience blackity-blackblack. After seeing this as a kid I knew I had to go to The Great American South. The adaptation of Odyssey was done seamlessly too, I have and will watch it over and over again.
we need to talk about kevin (2011), lynne ramsay
You’ll laugh but I’m pretty sure this piece of cinema is a key reason I do not have any interest in having children. Admittedly, this is worst case scenario but it is… plausible. Despite the subject matter, cinematically this is a joy to watch. Ms. Swinton was born to play this role, she is majestic. Ezra Miller is captivating and John C. Reilly’s character? Infuriating.
note:
I realise this is an all-but-one male list, most of them white. Maybe next time I’ll put together a list with a little more flavour.
It’s incredible how a film can change the trajectory of someone’s life. I was thinking about this the other day, how certain movies can shape us during key moments even more than the people around us sometimes do.
as a fellow black brit, This is England is legendary. like Meadows GOT IT. and projected it on to the screen supremely. wow. timeless.