Two more of
the Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen’s deeply personal accounts of the
black British experience in the 1980s continue …
“Lovers Rock” – I hate to say it … but I couldn’t
get my head into this one –there was no narrative, music I didn’t understand …
I fell asleep at the beginning, woke up to see and hear a 5 minute segment of,
as far as I was concerned, repetitive song where a house-full young dancers were
living life in the early 1980s (when I was no longer living in England) … and
of course didn’t finish watching.
However
having read the outstanding reviews etc – I needed to understand at least –
“Lovers Rock” will never be my cup of tea … but I can learn about the
challenges faced by the Caribbean or African peoples …
Lovers Rock
music is a reggae style noted for its romantic sound and content, exemplified by the British 1979 hit ‘Silly
Games’ by Janet Kay; its roots lie in
the rock steady era … when Ken
Boothe, Johnny Nash and John Holt enjoyed international hits with versions of
well-known love songs.
 |
| The Lovers ... via a newspaper image taken by me |
The setting
is a ‘blues party’ in a West Indian
household near Ladbroke Grove – where guests are charged for entrance, booze
and food … a DJ blasts out Jamaican reggae infused with American soul … causing
the residents and dancers to move rhythmically slowly into near spiritual
ecstasy.
The lovers
are part of this heady world … and we follow their nascent relationship
unfolding against this background … over one long night.
 |
| The Jamaican - Ken Boothe |
The
Guardian’s review waxes lyrical about McQueen’s film making … the way he brings
the period and location to life, along with the very personal representation of
how life was lived … party, to racism from the locals, to prejudice from the
police, to church … all coming about through these party-houses because black
people felt unwelcome in mostly white nightclubs.
“Red, White and Blue” … I did enjoy …
especially as I’d done my homework and knew where the lead character, Leroy
Logan, was heading in his life.
 |
John Boyega as Leroy Logan.
again from a photo of a newspaper image |
I might
otherwise have been disappointed in the paucity of the story … as we’re only
given the first few working years of a former Metropolitan Policeman’s life – a
black police officer in an essentially white force.
But, as you
might expect, the story telling was excellent … Leroy Logan, the son of
Jamaican parents, achieved a scientific degree, held a job as a research assistant … before
giving it all up and joining the police – we witness his family’s exasperation
as he apparently gives up his all - a successful forensics job.
He had
witnessed his father being viciously attacked, and understood the loathing of
law enforcement sensed by his community, but felt he wanted to change people’s
outlooks from within the Metropolitan Police.
He ends up
being rejected for promotion – albeit being the top, if not the top, achieving
officer … wanting to step over the line, but refusing to do so … so started his
career – the endless grind of getting up each morning, priming his uniform …
ready for each very challenging day: both from within and without.
 |
John Boyega filming c/o We Live
Entertainment |
He faces
racist insults from his colleagues, and open rejection from his community. We see the story slowly unfold … John Boyega
playing Leroy Logan, making every scene painfully real … in this fact based
drama.
The film is
not long – but hits home, while we understand he rose, with tenacity, through
the ranks to become a former superintendent in the London Metropolitan Police
and was both a founding member of the Black Police Association and its chair
for 30 years.
He has been
described as “one of the Black officers
who helped change the Met” … I would hope that his and McQueen’s influence
continues to change our perceptions and understanding of human life.
 |
Traditional Blue Lamp
outside most police stations |
Leroy Logan
has, in conjunction with McQueen, recently published his autobiography “Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop” …
… there’s
admiration here from McQueen who himself has done so much for black film, cinema and
black issues within black diaspora.
Last night was
the 4th film of the series of 5 … which will be another interesting
aspect of black British life … which is so informative for us in this day and
age.
 |
McQueen in 2013 with
Michael Fassbender |
I will do a
more informed write up on Steve McQueen’s career – so I can learn, but then if
you wish you too can appreciate his amazing abilities in the creative world.
I’m finding the
experience of Steve McQueen’s work
extraordinary as I explore more about his experimentation and slow development
into becoming a filmmaker – though, despite that success, the artistic talent
has not dimmed. He is constantly
exploring and breaking new creative ground.
Small Axe Mini-series summary and links ...
We Live Entertainment ... 'Small Axe' Review of Red, White and Blue ...
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