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NEWS Saturday 12 May 2018
DAY 5

THE BUZZ MORAHAN LOOKS TO
OF THE DAY BOOGIE MAN SEQUEL
FOLLOWING STRONG
AUTHENTICITY AND SHOWING IN CANNES

BOOGIE Man, the British film directed and
THE QUEST FOR DIVERSE co-written by Andy Morahan that was
much talked about in Cannes last year,
had its market screening here this week.
PERSPECTIVES IN CINEMA The film follows British-Indian teenager
Paavan (Kush Khanna) who, struggling
with his cultural heritage in modern-day
London, falls for a white, 20-something
actress and model Stephanie (Jerry-Jane
Pears) during a 1970s-themed exhibition.
He becomes obsessed with her, and the
fashion and music of the era, while trying
to keep his family’s Indian traditionalism
and the impending responsibilities of
adulthood at bay. Showing at a number
of festivals in the UK in the lead-up to
Cannes, Boogie Man was chosen as the
Gala closing film at the UK Asian Film
Festival, where it won two Flame awards,
for Best Music and for Amy Jackson as
Best Newcomer. It was also selected for
the British Independent Film Festival,
where it won the audience award, and as
the opening film for the first Newcastle
International Film Festival. Next festival
stops for the movie include Toronto,
Austin, Cardiff and Liverpool. The Boogie
Man team is talking in Cannes to
financiers and sales companies about
© DISNEY Letitia Wright as Shuri in Black Panther a sequel, whose script is already in
development, Morahan said.
A range of initiatives in Cannes respond to the need Outside of his features work Morahan
is known for videos for music’s biggest
for diversity in front of, and behind the camera. names including Paul McCartney, Elton
John, Guns’n’Roses and Michael Jackson.
Next up for the director, alongside the
HE GLOBAL success of films The first is Diversity Day at the Festival, Bryan stressed the necessity of hiring Boogie Man sequel, is the feature film
like Black Panther and Wonder which takes place on May 14 at the creators who have been directly impacted Wild Boys, written by Piers Ashworth
Woman shows an increasing Radisson Blu Hotel from 13.00-21.00, by discriminative experiences. (Burke & Hare, St. Trinian’s) about the
demand for diversity which will include short-film showcases “They’re authentic voices, and they’re formative days of music-video production
T on-screen. This change celebrating film-makers from around the authentic stories,” Bryan said. “It’s hugely in the early 1980s. “Think Almost Famous
involves placing the power in the hands of world. There will also be screenings of different to what we see on the main meets Spinal Tap,” Morahan said.
the people behind the camera who are best short films from six women of colour as stage.” Following the market screening of Boogie
equipped to tell those stories. a part of the Cannes Film Festival Short The Blackhouse Foundation is making its Man, The Little Film Company — the sales
There’s a desperate need for authentic Film Corner, on May 16 at 13.30 first appearance at the festival this year. company of the late Robbie Little —
storytelling. A number of initiatives at in Palais H. This organisation focuses on expanding reported interest from India, China,
Cannes and beyond are focusing on “While there’s no easy fix for the opportunities for black multi-platform Germany, France, Scandinavia and North
diverse representation in cinema, with an eradication of global discrimination… content creators by facilitating pathways America. Speaking of Little’s tragic death
emphasis on giving a voice to the people the intentional focus on diversity and to careers. “What we want to do is build while en-route to the Festival, Morahan
who have historically been voiceless. inclusion in media will lessen its impact, a thriving community of Black film- said: “I would just like to both thank him
“In my experience, we use race, gender, especially at the Cannes Film Festival makers,” Carol Ann Shine, one of the for all the hard and great work he did on
age, religion, physical ability and where the world is watching,” Brinkley Foundation’s co-founders, said. Boogie Man, and send our thoughts and
socio-economic status to exclude,” said. Blackhouse will host a brunch at the prayers to Ellen and his family from all
Yolonda Brinkley, creator of Beyond Maureen A. Bryan is another person American Pavilion on May 13 to honour of us on the team. You will be sorely
Borders: Diversity in Cannes, said. making a difference at Cannes. Bryan actor/director Spike Lee and the missed Robbie.”✦ Julian Newby
Since its 2010 inception, Diversity in launched The Voice of a Woman (VOW) producer, author, entrepreneur and
Cannes has worked to counteract that organisation in 2011 to bring work by advocate for women and infant health,
very exclusion by championing female film-makers to bigger audiences. Tonya Lee Lewis.
the work of film-makers from Every year, VOW holds a series of talks These three organisations all share
traditionally under-represented groups. in London, New York and Cannes to a similar mission — aiding and
“We all have stories to tell, discuss these issues. encouraging artists to take ownership
and I want to see and hear as many “Such voices need to be heard, and the of their own experiences and sharing
as possible,” Brinkley added. visibility of these women, who have been those authentic narratives with the world.
creating films against all kinds of odds, is “We have to change the whole story,”
DIVERSITY DAY needed now more than ever,” Bryan said. Shine said. “Content creators and
This Festival, Diversity in Cannes is VOW also highlights the importance the stories they tell — that’s where Prashant Kapoor as Maneesh (left),
hosting a number of events aimed at of including a diverse range of voices the power is.” ✦
and Kush Khanna as Paavan
expanding representation in cinema. in film, communications and the arts. Brenna Donovan and Chloe Teboe © DR the spirit of Paavan’s late father,

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