Post-colonialism

1) Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV from Media Magazine 42 (MM42 from our Media Magazine archive - page 51)

2) List FIVE films, FIVE TV programs and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article.

5 Films

1.  Kidulthood (2006)
2. Adulthood (2008)
3. Star Trek (2013) 
4. Saul Dibb's Bullet Boy (2004) - Heralded season of British hood dramas
5. Attack the Block (2011)

5 TV Programmes

1. Dr Who
2. Top Boy (Channel 4)
3. Casualty (1986 - PRESENT)
4. Luther (2010)
5. Line of Duty (2012)

5 online - only productions

1. Brother's with No Game
2. Venus vs Mars
3. The Ryan Sisters
4. All about the Mckenzies
5. Meet the Adebanjos

3) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available on her website, including the short film The Park). To what extent can we apply Alvarado's and Fanon's theories to these films? Do they reinforce or subvert typical black stereotypes in British film and TV? Refer to specific scenes and events in the clips in answering this question and aim for at least 350 words.

Tight Jeans

Fanon’s theory can be linked to this extract of Tight Jeans with the point of ‘Decivilize’ being reinforced with the ‘Gangsta’ ‘Pimp’ stereotype. This is evident as the extract displays three black teenage males sitting on an estate wall that we would automatically assume are up to no good and out to cause trouble.   

Gone too Far!

Alvarado’s theory can be linked to the trailer of Gone too Far in regards to the category of ‘exotic’. The lifestyle is represented as exotic in the trailer through the traditional clothing that the mother is wearing. The point ‘humorous’ can also be linked with the arrival of Yemi’s brother ‘traditional Ghanaian boy’ and his unusual dress sense. Then Fanon’s point of ‘putting on a white mask’ as Yemi hides his heritage. He puts on a white mask to fit into the community that he resides in. Another way in which Fanon’s theory can be linked to the Gone too Far trailer would be with the point that ‘black people have lost their native language and to be successful need to speak in ‘educated’ English/French. This is evident; throughout the film with Yemi. A more specific extract from the trailer would be when Yemi attempts to talk to Armani and speaks with a ‘street tone’.