Displaying items by tag: Stephen Odubolo

BLUE STORY

UK, 2019, 91 minutes, Colour.

Stephen Odubola, Micheal Ward, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Karla-Simone Spence, Rohan Nedd, Sean Sagar, Kadeem Ramsey..

Directed by Rapman (Andrew Onwubolo).

A number of British films and television series, documentary and docudramas, focus on gangs in different areas of London. And the gangs are black gangs. This is one of those films, very much directed towards the younger audience, the target audience of black youth in London, as well as their parents.

The film has been directed by Andrew Onwubolo, an MBE artist and musician, who has the name, Rapman. He has written the screenplay, and appears as a narrative character throughout the film, especially with, as his stage name suggests, a great deal of rap lyrics. Again, though directed towards the younger target audience, many older audiences will appreciate his presence, the skill of the rap, its commentary on characters and action.

The film is set in areas of London, especially Lewisham and Peckham. They have their various gangs. Some of the characters live in Deptford which is looked down on.

The film focuses on a young man, Timmy (Stephen Odubola) and his mother, transferring him to a different high school, away from his friends, especially one who is particularly tough, Killy. At the new school he makes a number of friends, especially bonding with Marco (Micheal Ward) who has an older brother, tough leader of a gang. The years pass, friendships develop, especially timber with the young girl at school, Leah.

But, towards the end of time at school, the friendship is tested, Timmy rather restrained and not wanting to become involved, Marco is influenced strongly by his brother, problems with Timmy coming from Deptford, the different gangs, the emergence of Killy and his gang.

The plot is quite complex with all the politics of gang leadership, the raids and attacks on other gang members, sometimes at night, sometimes in public, a number of deaths which test loyalties.

While Timmy and Leah become involved, falling in love, hopes for the future, Marco attacks them, hitting Leah, her falling, dead. Marco goes to jail. There are a number of incidents, fights, and Marco’s brother injured and becoming a paraplegic.

Years pass, Timmy, affected by the death of Leah, deadly enmity towards Marco, also becomes a gang leader, leading up to confrontations, possible reconciliations, Marco with memories of his family, prison, going to firebomb a van in which Timmy is trapped, deciding to throw the flames.

The central actors, who have had substantial careers in film and television, are engaging, persuasive, audiences becoming dismayed at what happens to them and their behaviour.

Which means then that this is a serious drama, rap message, the action on the nature attractions of gangs and warfare, but the futility of the violence and deaths.