Films about racism in the UK depict the struggles and challenges faced by individuals and communities as they confront issues of discrimination, prejudice, and social injustice. These films often explore the complexities of racial tensions, the impact of systemic racism, and the resilience of those affected by it.
“Rocks”, 2019
Director: Sarah Gavron
This film follows the story of a British-Nigerian teenage girl who, after being abandoned by her mother, struggles to care for her younger brother while avoiding social services. The film sheds light on the experiences of Black youth in the UK and the challenges they face in a system that often fails to support them.
Starring: Bukky Bakray, Kosar Ali, D'Angelou Osei Kissiedu, Shaneigha Greyson, Ruby Stokes, Tawheda Begum, Afi Okaidja, Anastazia Dymitrow, Sarah Niles, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Sharon D. Clarke, Shola Adewusi, Mohammad Amiri, Brie-Morgan Appleton, Joshua Avory, Ashley Merino Bastidas, Nadya Bettioui, Joanna Brookes, Angelica Nicole Cabutotan, Justyna Charzewska, Tina Chiang, Anthony Cole, George Collie, Clark Crewe, Liliana Dos Santos, Raph Famitobe, Raphel Famotibe, Beatrice Franks, Anthea Georgiou, Kumal Haresh, Asha Hassan, Kate Isitt, Islah, Cedar Rose Johnson, Dystin Johnson, Anthony Kirkland, Tahira Mahmoud, Kayla May Mcleary, Tashiana Mitchell, Filsan Mohamed, Mumtaz Mohamed, Nicola Morrow, Omar Osman, Nital Patel, Aneta Piotrowska, Nadia Prince, Abdirahman Romeo, Maddison-Lea Samuels-Kemp, Rachel Shann, Idris «Tempo» Ahmed Siyaad;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Rocks” on the website imdb.com
“Babylon”, 2022
Director: Damien Chazelle
Set in London, this film explores the experiences of a young Jamaican man as he navigates life in a racially divided society. It delves into the tensions between Black and white communities and the impact of institutional racism on the characters' lives.
Starring: Diego Calva, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Jean Smart, Olivia Hamilton, P.J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Tobey Maguire, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Samara Weaving, J.C. Currais, Jimmy Ortega, Marcos A. Ferraez, Shane Powers, Phoebe Tonkin, Troy Metcalf, Hansford Prince, Telvin Griffin, Cutty Cuthbert, Albert Hammond Jr., Bregje Heinen, Tal Seder, Dana Marcolina, Robert Morgan, Nana Ghana, E.E. Bell, Joe Dallesandro, Sol Landerman, Karina Fontes, Circus-Szalewski, Kaia Gerber, Patrick Fugit, Cici Lau, David Lau, Tyler Seiple, Zack Newick, Alexandre Chen, Bob Clendenin, Miraj Grbic, Johnny Hoops, James Wellington, Tatjena Lukashenkova, Jekaterina Frolova, Dmitrijs Šandro, Vadims Grossmans, Elena Sigova, Anatolij Fechin, Rodions Kuzmins-Reizvihs;
Production year: 2022;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 189 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Babylon” on the website imdb.com
“Pressure”, 2015
Director: Ron Scalpello
This film follows the story of a young Black man in London who faces discrimination and prejudice as he seeks employment. It portrays the struggles of the Windrush generation and the obstacles they encountered in their pursuit of a better life in the UK.
Starring: Danny Huston, Matthew Goode, Joe Cole, Alan Mckenna, Ian Pirie, Daisy Lowe, Gemita Samarra;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
More information about the film “Pressure” on the website imdb.com
“My Beautiful Laundrette”, 1985
Director: Stephen Frears
Set in London, this film explores the complexities of interracial relationships and the challenges faced by a young British-Pakistani man and his white boyfriend in a society rife with racial tensions and social inequality.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Gordon Warnecke, Richard Graham, Winston Graham, Dudley Thomas, Derrick Branche, Garry Cooper, Roshan Seth, Saeed Jaffrey, Shirley Anne Field, Charu Bala Chokshi, Souad Faress, Rita Wolf, Persis Maravala, Nisha Kapur, Neil Cunningham, Walter Donohue, Gurdial Sira, Stephen Marcus, Dawn Archibald, Jonathan Moore, Gerard Horan, Ram John Holder, Bhasker Patel, Ayub Khan-Din, Dulice Liecier, Badi Uzzaman, Chris Pitt, Kerryann White, Colin Campbell, Hebe Chitnis, Persis Khambatta;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “My Beautiful Laundrette” on the website imdb.com
These films offer powerful narratives that shed light on the realities of racism in the UK, challenging audiences to confront the injustices faced by marginalized communities and the need for societal change.
The selection of films about racism in the UK offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the complex and pervasive issue of racial discrimination. Each film delves into the lived experiences of individuals and communities, shedding light on the systemic challenges and personal struggles faced by those affected by racism. From historical dramas to contemporary narratives, these films confront uncomfortable truths and challenge audiences to confront their own biases. As a collection, these films serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing need for dialogue, empathy, and action in the fight against racism, making them essential viewing for those seeking a deeper understanding of this pressing social issue in the UK.
