The Hitrz courtesy of Annie Kruntcheva
Enjoying a resurgence, currently dominating the airwaves, Grime has taken the world by storm. Artists such as Stormzy, Dave, Little Simz, Headie One, Ms Banks amongst others engaging a new age of listeners. Having both been instrumental in the Grime scene, legends Prince Owusu-Agyekum aka Rapid, who has written songs for critically acclaimed artist Tinchy Strider and artist Ebenezer Ayerh aka Slix look to nurture the next generation of Grime talent – whether they look to pursue a career on stage or of. Their organisation, Ruff Squad Arts Foundation having supported the stars of tomorrow since 2017. Getting ready to host Ruff Sqwad presents Lights Up as part of Certain Blacks’ Heroes Festival on 4th February at Rich Mix, the inspirational duo tell us more about the artists taking part and what to expect!
Hi Prince and Ebenezer AKA Ruff Sqwad, you’ll be hosting Lights Up on 4th Feb which forms Certain Blacks’ 9th festival titled ‘Heroes’ at Rich Mix. How are you feeling ahead of the event?
We are so excited and can’t wait for 4th February to come, so much young, hungry talent under one roof is definitely a night not to be missed!
Currently, we’re breaking down exactly what intersectionality looks like and how this plays out in reality. Everyone with their very own unique set of experiences that continue to impact how they interact with the outside world. Delving into this further with solo performance Mix Race MixTape, Professor in Performing Arts at Stockholm University of the Arts John-Paul Zaccarini presents Mix Race, an exploration of the political and emotional minefield of intersectionality with poignancy. Ahead of its showing on 3rd February at Rich Mix as part of Certain Blacks Heroes Festival, John-Paul tells us more about creating the show, what it means to form part of Certain Blacks’ ninth festival and what audiences can expect!
With awards’ season well and truly underway, we’re yet again introduced to an array of mainstream and independent works deserving of acknowledgement for the effort put in both onscreen and behind the scenes. Marking Floodlight Pictures – Ross White and Tom Berkeley’s second collaboration (the first, Roy, seeing them make the shortlist of the 75th BAFTA Awards), An Irish Goodbye sees them contend for a spot on the final nominee list of the 95th Academy Awards, due to take place on Sunday 12th March, with the final shortlist drawn up on Tuesday 24th January. Ahead of the final nominee announcement, Ross and Tom tell us more about their heartwarming film – an exploration of estranged brothers Lorcan and Turlough who are forced to reunite following the death of their mother. Lorcan, who has Down Syndrome is left in Turlough’s care, but will only agree to leave the family farm once they have completed every single wish on their mother’s unfulfilled bucket list.
With awards’ season well and truly underway, we’re yet again introduced to an array of mainstream and independent works deserving of acknowledgement for the effort put in both onscreen and behind the scenes. Having won gold at the Student Academy Awards for his short film Almost Home, director Nils Keller returns to contend for the main prize in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category this year, on Sunday 12th March, with the final nomination list revealed on Tuesday 24th January. A coming of age sci-fi film that shares a story of a teenager who beats the odds, however faces a dangerous destiny, Almost Home is a worthy contender. Ahead of this year’s ceremony, Nils tells us more about exploring the film’s narrative further, working with the cast and creative team to realise the filmic vision and what it means to be acknowledged by the Academy!
Founded a decade ago in 2012 to platform the work of marginalised artists, performance venue Ugly Duck, located in Bermondsey – South East London, has been at the forefront of working with performance artists who are not afraid of exploring lesser talked about themes. Their @Disturbance Festival, now in its 4th year specifically created to showcase LGBTQ+ artists and stories. Set to show Simple Relations No.4, a performance made for camera that queers the use of everyday objects to explore the complexities of living in a gender fluid body in the Southern United States as part of Ugly Duck’s 10th year anniversary on the 10th, 11th and 12th of November, video artist Sandrine Schaefer tells us what inspired them to explore the show’s themes further, how they’ve approached creating the filmed performance and what can be expected!
