‘Black Joy’: the best movie ever made about Brixton
The history of Black cinema is essential to the very essence of British film itself, and there have been countless movies of the highest order that have documented the Black British experience. From 1980’s Babylon by Franco Rosso to Playing Away to some of the best efforts of the 21st century in the shape of Bullet Boy and Belle, several directors have examined just what it means to be Black in Britain, and one ought not to forget the inimitable and timeless Black Joy.
Directed by Anthony Simmons and released in 1977, Black Joy remains a seminal work in the pantheon of Black British cinema that captures the true vibrancy of the south London Brixton district and documents the challenges and resilient outlook that the community of the 1970s faced and possessed. Rightfully considered one of the best films ever made about Brixton, Simmons subverts the tradition of Black cinema in delivering a celebration of joy rather than the usual anger of films like Horace Ove’s Pressure.
There’s a deep commitment to authenticity that rings true throughout the film in its exploration of racial dynamics and the mid-20th-century culture clash. Telling the story of Ben Jones, a young immigrant from Guyana, as he traverses the adverse conditions of Brixton with a positive outlook, audiences are treated to an inside look at the richness of south London with all its strange and colourful characters.
Sincerity is at the forefront of the narrative, successfully managing to avoid reinforcing dogmatic stereotypes whilst refusing to shy away from the challenges that were undoubtedly part of the Brixton community’s day-to-day lives. Racism and poverty are met with humour, togetherness, and resilience rather than violence, although there’s a certain light irony to proceedings that laughs in the face of adversity rather than succumbing to it.
In that light, Black Joy is a positive film, and its title makes perfect sense. Trevor Thomas’ portrayal of Ben is genuinely remarkable, and Simmons’ film serves as a unique time capsule through which we can consult the social hardships of decades past and, thus, learn from the injustices that so many Black British citizens were subject to.
Ben’s journey ranges from his optimism when first stepping onto British soil to finding himself in a series of disastrous scenarios and discovering that perhaps life will not be as easy in London as he had once thought. It breathes humanity and transcends the archetype of the immigrant, though his quest is one that garners sympathy throughout.
Featuring a brilliant soundtrack leaning heavily into reggae and other ethnically diverse music in accordance with its setting, Black Joy is simply one of the greatest Brixton-based movies of all time, dripping with emotion, struggle, laughter and conquest. It remains a testament to the power of the cinematic medium as a vessel for storytelling and is a crucial cog in the ever-turning wheel of Black British history.
In an interview with the BFI, Reel Britannia director Jon Spira spoke highly of Black Joy, noting, “It’s the best Brixton film! A Guyanese guy fresh off the plane has to negotiate life in Brixton. It’s the characters he meets, it’s the colour, the location, it’s everything. The thing that is so good about it is it’s not an issue film. It’s not about racism. It’s not about social disruption. It’s not a violent film. It’s not a sad film. It is a joyous, happy, delightful film.”
“The feeling you get when that film finishes is, why don’t we want more films like this?” Spira added. “They made however many Confessions films at that same time. Why is there not this Black British comedy genre? Why doesn’t that exist now? That film is one of the great British films, and any racist wanker who talks about Britain on film, to me, that is Britain on film. That feels like Britain.”
Check out the trailer for Black Joy below.
