Cinema
Pressure
Horace Ové · 1975
Synopsis
West London, in the seventies. Bopsie, a Trinidadian mother, fries eggs and bacon for Tony, her youngest, the first of the family born in England, and urges him to look for work. Out of school with good grades, Tony meets one refusal after another from white recruiters. Colin, his elder brother, a Black Power activist who no longer lives at home, mocks his English tastes and draws him towards his meetings; Tony finds himself caught between his parents and him.
Context
The film was written by its director with the Trinidadian novelist Samuel Selvon. The British Film Institute, which had financed it, allowed its theatrical release only in 1978, more than two years after its presentation at the 1975 London Film Festival. The reason for the delay is not established: a retreat in the face of the scenes of police violence has been suspected, while a press article of 1978, since taken up by a critic, cites administrative quarrels over distribution. Its author said he had been tired of reading articles in the newspapers about young Black people hanging about on street corners, without anyone asking why. A generation of Black British filmmakers has claimed it as an influence.
Who it is for
A little over two hours, in English; the discs released in Great Britain have English subtitles only.
Prizes and reception
The first fiction feature film made in Britain by a black filmmaker, it was restored and rereleased in cinemas in 2023.
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