South London Forever
It’s easy to romanticise the glittering hotspots of the big smoke – cherry-red tourist traps and brutalist architecture that run from one end of the Thameslink line down to the other.
But there is imperfect magic to be found south of the river – parts of London sometimes neglected for just how unglamorous it might seem, how quiet or suburban these places with people just living their lives come across when the cameras aren’t filming.
Except that’s not true, of course: with A Brixton Tale soon reaching cinema screens across the country, there’s proof once more that cinema owes a debt to South London, a place that deserves to be celebrated. And so, in alphabetical order, here are five more titles, your Massive favourites, to add to the ever-growing watchlist.
ALEX WHEATLE
With Small Axe, filmmaker Steve McQueen explored the Black-British experience in five distinct chapters – in the police force, at a house party, in court, and more. In Alex Wheatle, Sheyi Cole plays the eponymous novelist who was sentenced to jail following the 1981 Brixton uprising. The film followed his life, growing up as a young kid in Surrey, to the key period during which he found his voice in the South London borough.
ATTACK THE BLOCK
It’s no secret that Joe Cornish grew up in Brixton – and no surprise that he would stay close to home for his debut feature. Except Attack the Block is far from a formulaic about a familiar neighbourhood – yes it’s set on a council estate in South London, but the key thing here? A predatory alien invasion. Because of course. It’s not exactly brochure-material, but certainly put the area – and its galvanising youth – on the map.
BLACK JOY
Norman Beaton leads Anthony Simmons’ rough-and-ready gem, as a charismatic gambler who takes young Guyanese immigrant Ben Jones under his wing through the streets of Brixton. Together they learn about betting and befriending, impressing women and ducking and diving among the crushing blows of a turbulent life in 1970s London.
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
I know, I know, Gotham is its own entity and to include it on this list is absurd – but then, is it? Many scenes in Christopher Nolan’s final chapter in the Batman trilogy were in fact shot in Croydon – including the moment we see a hospital, which is in fact the former BT Delta Point office building, on Wellesley Road, not too far from West Croydon station. My point? South London has a lot more to offer, and can be so much more dramatic than you think.
PIRATES
Somewhat more flexible in terms of where south London begins and ends – but Londoner Reggie Yates can’t be left out. He’s making his directorial debut with “the party of the year” in Pirates, following three best friends on New Year’s Eve 1999 who set out to break into the music scene and into the new century thanks to Pirate radio. With a thumping soundtrack, you won’t want to miss this one.
A Brixton Tale will be released in cinemas on September 17 – find your nearest cinema here.
