Babylon (1980)

*Babylon* is a stirring portrait of racial tensions, police violence, and the rebellion of disenfranchised Black youth at the start of the Thatcher era, juxtaposed with the energy of Dancehall. Blue (Brinsley Forde, frontman of the famous British reggae band Aswad), a young Rastafarian DJ, is determined to win a sound system competition. The film was shot on location in South London and beautifully captured in a smoky, vibrant style by Chris Menges, who later won an Academy Award for cinematography. The powerful dub-reggae soundtrack by Dennis Bovell is complemented by contributions from other prominent musicians of British-Caribbean heritage, such as Yabby U and I-Roy. Aswad’s iconic instrumental "Warrior Charge" was composed specifically for the film. *Babylon* received near-universal acclaim at its world premiere in Cannes, but the New York Film Festival refused to screen it, citing concerns that the film could "incite racial tension." It was not released in U.S. cinemas until 2019. (Anupma Shanker)

**Film discussion with screenwriter Martin Stellman and Anupma Shanker on November 8, 2024**

**Introduction by Anupma Shanker on November 16, 2024**

Photo: Austrian Film Museum