A special 70th Year Windrush Anniversary Film Screening Event remembering the history of migration from the Caribbean and the continuing story of present day migration and how this has transformed England and the rest of Europe!
Presenting a programme of powerful short films reflecting the Windrush era and also present day migration and the troubling stories of migrant enslavement in Libya. This will be supported by a memorable live ‘Streets Paved With Gold’ theatrical performance by Leicester actor Victor Richards all commemorating the ‘Windrush’ generation and the powerful story of mass-migration with an emphasis on those that first arrived from the Caribbean, 70 years ago on the ship Empire Windrush.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Film: ‘Sorry We Don’t Help Darkies’
A Caribbean family living in London’s Notting Hill during the tension and violence that led to the 1958 race riots, where black homes where targeted and smashed, comes to a brutal realisation that life in post war Britain is far from the ‘Mother Country’ that would welcome them with open arms as they had been told to get them aboard the ‘Empire Windrush’ boat to help England rebuild after World War II…
Starring Richard Campbell, Michelle Greenidge, Jemima Ojona, Kai Francis-Lewis & Cameron Palmer Charles.
Writer/Director: Travis Watson / 2013 /10 mins
Performance: ‘Streets Paved With Gold’
We are pleased to present a special live 20 min theatrical performance by much-liked Leicester actor Victor Richards telling the imagined story of one man’s plight as a member of the arriving Windrush Generation entitled ‘Streets Paved With Gold’.
There will also be an award-winning ‘Streets Paved With Gold’ music/poetry video by Victor played at the start of the evening as part of the event program.
More info on Victor Richards and his Windrush poetry, book and one-man play can be found here.
Film: ‘The Dead Sea’
An award-winning short film inspired by a true story from the recent Refugee Crisis. (It wasn’t too long after this film was made that worldwide news agencies reported migrants been enslaved in Libya).
The story follows Emmanuel and Olu who, after almost reaching Europe by boat, are returned to Libya and incarcerated in one of its infamous migrant detention centres.
THE DEAD SEA is the latest film from writer/director Stuart Gatt and stars Sope Dirisu (Humans, The Huntsman: Winter’s War), Joan Iyiola (Denial, A Season in the Congo) and Yasen Atour (Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation). Its affiliated charities are Medecins Sans Frontieres and Human Rights at Sea.
Producer: Kate Glover
UK / 2016 / 15 mins
Film: ‘Windrush Stories’
A BUFF Originals/Voice Media Group co-production, Windrush Stories introduces us to the first generation of Caribbean migrants as they recall their experiences of arriving on British shores 70 years ago. Shot earlier this year, BUFF’s cameras went to West London along with Voice journalist Leah Sinclair to hear first-hand accounts from members of the Windrush generation.
Dir: Clare Anyiam-Osigwe / UK / 15mins
Invited Guest Speakers & After-film Panel Discussion:
Attending will be a number of guest speakers from the world of politics, education, human-rights and various well-standing Windrush & Community organisations. Some of whom will be given the stage to address the audience and speak about their Windrush experiences, ongoing work and recent government scandal.
At the end of the evening there will be a Windrush panel discussion hosted by former Hackney Council Councillor, writer and Windrush activist Patrick Vernon OBE, where we plan to discuss the legacy of the Windrush Generation and of course the ongoing government Windrush deportation scandal.
Guest Speakers confirmed: Sir Geoff Palmer, Patrick Vernon OBE, Dr Angeline Osbourne (Windrush Foundation), Maxi Hayles (Human Rights Activist), actor Richard Campbell + other invited guests.
Tickets: £12 (Discount for OAPs, Unemployed and Students) available here.
Date: Saturday 9th June
Time: 1.00pm – 4.00pm (programme Start: 1.30pm)
Venue: Regent Street Cinema, 309 Regent St, London, W1B 2UW
Tel: 0207 911 5050
