Babylon (film)

Babylon is a 1980 film that depicts the struggles of a Black British working class musician. It stars Brinsley Forde of the reggae band, Aswad. It was co-written by Martin Stellman (writer of Quadrophenia) and Franco Rosso who also directed it. It also starred Karl Howman and Trevor Laird. Music was scored by Dennis Bovell.

Brinsley Forde plays a Deptford garage-hand by day and a disco-dispenser by night. The film follows him as he loses his job as a car mechanic (Mel Smith in a cameo as his racist boss), gets beaten up by racist police and falsely charged, forced to go on the run, falling out with his girlfriend and finally stabbing a racist neighbour in anger and frustration. The film finishes with a posse of policemen smashing down the doors of a music hall.

Babylon was filmed on the streets of Lewisham and Brixton, London.

The film revolves around racism from police and thugs, violence against blacks, poverty and disillusion and lack of opportunities.

Songs are by Aswad, Johnny Clarke, among others and even a tune by Jeff Wayne (War Of The Worlds fame).

Produced by Diversity Music, National Film Finance Corporation, Chrysalis Group and Lee Electric (Lighting), the film is regarded as a classic.

Cast

• Brinsley Forde as David, "Blue"
• Karl Howman as Ronnie
• Trevor Laird as "Beefy"
• Brian Bovell as "Spark"
• Victor Romero Evans as "Lover"
• David N. Haynes as Errol
• Archie Pool as "Dreadhead"
• T-Bone Wilson as Wesley
• Mel Smith as Alan
• Beverly Michaels as Elaine
• Maggie Steed as Woman at Lockup Garage
• Bill Moody as Man on Balcony
• Stefan Kalipha as Fat Larry
• Beverley Dublin as Sandra
• Granville Garner as Sandra's Father
• Mark Monero as Carlton
• David Cunningham as Sir Watts
• Cosmo Laidlaw as Rastaman
• Terence Dackombe as Thug
• Mikey Campbell as Promoter
• Angus Zeb as Doorman
• Wendell McKellar as Doorman
• Frank Sylvester as Weightlifter
• David Gant as Police Commissioner
• Michael Gunn as Detective at Door
• Harry Miller as Detective at Door
• Yvonne Agard as Mrs. Watts
• Alan Igbon as Rupert
• Donovan Platt as William
• Charles Cork as CID Detective
• Gary Whelan as CID Detective
• Derek Broome as Bus Conductor
• Anthony Trent as Fence
• Patrick Worrall as Spooky
• Malcolm Frederick as Wolf
• Vilma Hollingbery as Woman in Street
• Cynthia Powell as Mum
• King Sounds as Compere
• Ann Duncan as Beefy's Girl

External links

• Babylon at the Internet Movie Database
• http://www.uncarved.org/babylon Fan site