Community Cinema night at UCL East

UCL East proudly played host to The New Black Film Collective's (TNBFC) special screening of the iconic film "Babylon." The event, held as part of Newham Council's Windrush 75th Anniversary celebrations programme, encouraged the audience to explore the themes and legacy of the Windrush generation through the lens of cinema. 

The New Black Film Collective, a local organisation dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the work of Black filmmakers and creatives, curated a truly memorable evening that blended history, culture, and music. Guests were welcomed by a magical live performance of ‘Goodbye my Love’ by Audrey Scott before the lights lowered and the film began.  

"Babylon," directed by Franco Rosso, is an iconic film that offers a powerful and nuanced exploration of the challenges faced by young Black individuals in 1980s London. Set against the backdrop of reggae music, sound system culture, and social unrest, the film delves into the lives of its characters as they grapple with issues of identity, belonging, and systemic racism. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with Audrey Scott, DJ Wondah, Mark Simpson (Colourful Radio) and Charmaine Simpson (Black History Studies). The panel utilised their experience across academia, music and personal experience to provide valuable insights into the film's themes and their continued relevance today. 

The inclusion of the "Babylon" screening within Newham Council's Windrush 75th Anniversary celebrations programme underscored the significance of recognizing the enduring legacy of the Windrush generation. The Windrush generation, named after the HMT Empire Windrush which transported the first of many Caribbean veterans, service people and families to the UK as part of a large-scale emigration programme beginning in 1948, holds a vital place in British history. Their contributions to the country's culture, economy, and society are immeasurable, and events such as these serve as a testament to their lasting influence. 

Priscilla Igwe is the Managing Director of The New Black Film Collective and coordinated the event, “As a Newham native, I was extremely pleased to be involved in Windrush 75 season of events and to bring TNBFC audiences to UCL East's brand new cinema which is dazzling! We hope that this is just the beginning of growing film culture in this borough and bringing together the local community through these partnerships.”  

The event was met with an enthusiastic response from attendees, who joined in group duet with Audrey Scott and contributed to the wider conversations throughout the evening. The panel discussion following the screening provided a platform for attendees to share their insights and ask questions and sharing their personal stories and experiences that they were reminded of from scenes in the film. 

To find out more about joining The New Black Film Collective as a member and find out about future events please visit https://www.tnbfc.co.uk/.