Handsworth Songs (1987)

Director:

John Akomfrah

Stars:

Pervaiz Khan, Meera Syal, Yvonne Weekes

Cast

Credited cast:
Pervaiz Khan	...	(voice)
Meera Syal	...	(voice)
Yvonne Weekes	...	(voice)

Storyline

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1987 (Canada)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black Audio Film Collective

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #8.2 (1995)

User Reviews

An original, interesting aesthetic broaches serious issues

An interesting and original film, Handsworth Songs is an unconventional collage of news reports, eyewitness footage, interviews and abstract imagery. The whole film plays out as a dreamy rush of imagery and sounds: considerable credit should be given to the range of footage employed and juxtaposed against suitably atmospheric music. Closer to documentary or verite, the film traces memories of immigration to Britain in the early 50's through archive footage and brings us into the present day with footage shot by the Black Audio Film Collective. A serious, very watchable, artistic examination of the causes, effects and aftermath of the riots in Birmingham in the early 80's, Handsworth songs is abstract without resorting to inarticulacy.