Film Hub North West Central, part of the BFI Film Audience Network, and led by HOME in Manchester, is celebrating BFI BLACK STAR, throughout November and December with a series of events across the region.
Black Star is a celebration of the range, versatility and power of black actors on film and TV, taking place at BFI Southbank and nationwide, on DVD and on BFI Player.
It provides a meaningful and high-profile platform for audiences to explore a galaxy of black actors through history, spotlighting the creativity and charisma of trailblazing performers, and celebrating the transatlantic wave of black British talent currently breaking across our screens.
Throughout the month of November HOME in Manchester will be screening Black British Breakthroughs; a short season of contemporary films that were star making in their impact to shine a light on black British talent who went on to achieve stardom and recognition for their performances on screen.
The season starts with Dirty Pretty Things. Released in 2002, the film featured a breakout performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor who has gone on to work with Steve McQueen, Spike Lee and Ridley Scott. The film also features a breakout performance from Sophie Okenedo, alongside Naomie Harris.
Also screening as part of the season is 2004’s Bullet Boy which featured an incendiary performance from former So Solid Crew member Ashley Walters who won a BIFA Best British Newcomer Award.
The season is made complete by 2011’s Dreams of A Life, directed by Carol Morley. This compelling synthesis of fact and fiction features an incredible performance from Zawe Ashton, who has gone on to consolidate her career as the star of TV series Fresh Meat.
GORILLA in Manchester will also be contributing to BFI BLACK STAR on November 30th with the NORMAN JAY MBE: BLACK STAR TOUR. Gorilla and Live Cinema UK welcome one of the most respected DJs in the world today. After introducing the Blaxploitation classic Shaft starring Richard Rowntree, Norman Jay MBE will celebrate the very best in black cinema via a history of movie soundtracks: ‘Blaxploitation’ Soundtracks including Shaft, Shaft in Africa, In The Heat of the Night, Across 110th Street, Slaughters Big Rip-Off plus many more.
Norman Jay MBE said “As a lover of historic black music and film, I feel tremendously honoured to be involved in this amazing project by the ever forward thinking BFI”.
BFI BLACK STAR will be celebrated at Blackpool Winter Gardens on 9th December with an immersive screening of 1943’s Stormy Weather. The screening room will be set up as an early 1940’s nightclub with the audience seated at tables. The evening will include a live swing band and the whole experience will be supported by ushers, comperes, chorus girls in keeping with the film, venue and time period.
In Liverpool there will be a free drop-in screening of 1976’s Carwash at The Slavery Museum on 5th November and at The Small Cinema, Ghost Dog will be screened on 6th November, House Party on 16th November, Nothing but a Man on 30th November and The Proud Valley screening on 4th December.
Film Hub NWC is a network of organisations that share a commitment to building a wider, more diverse UK cinema audience. The area includes Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire and Staffordshire.
For full Film Hub NWC BFI BLACK STAR listings, please visit: www.bfi.org.uk/black-star
