BABYMOTHER (1998)
82 min.
United Kingdom
English Language without Subtitles.
Rating: 18 (strong language, sexual references).
Director: Julian Henriques.
Written by: Julian Henriques and Vivienne Howard.
Cinematography: Peter Middleton.
Music: Carroll Thompson and Berres Hammond.
Starring: Anjela Lauren Smith, Wil Johnson, Caroline Chikezie, Jocelyn Jee Esien, Don Warrington, Tameka Empson, Diane Bailey, Vas Blackwood.
Set in Harlesden, West London.
Anita is a single mother dreaming to make it as a singer, however living in a run down council estate and having very little financial support, the odds are stacked against her. Emotionally she struggles too as the death of her mother leads to a series of shocking revelations regarding her past.
Anita has no money to cut a studio demo but she has talent, ambition, loads of cheek, and two best girlfriends as determined to make it big. Together, as "Neeta, Sweeta and Nastie," the three pin their hopes on an upcoming singing contest and with the help of a female agent, the group starts to get some exposure and rises above their setting.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER:
Babymother is writer/director Henriques' first feature film. With a Jamaican family background, and having lived in Harlesden for 15 years, he was steeped in the culture which gives rise to the film's subject. Hearing women talk about their dancehall experiences was an early inspiration for the Babymother story. Henriques was captivated by the empowering image of women dressing up and going out dancing together: "I was fascinated by these women who are determined to have a good time and remain in control of their lives."