Original subtitles

This programme contains some strong language.

I'm Kwabena. I'm Vanessa. V says you're a film director. Yeah.

Does that pay well? My short film, Jamaica Road,

is a love story set in the Windrush era.

Would you mind passing this on? It's Dorvin's CV.

My cousin got arrested.

They'd love a film like that.

I don't want to be another director who makes hood films.

But at least they're MAKING films, man.

Of course we have to make films for white people.

Hey, burn that!

I got the job in New York.

They want me to be over there in the next few weeks.

We're going to be fine.

WE still have to make Jamaica Road.

I got signed!

You think this lickle film is going to help him in that jail? Hmm?

Sell out your own people for the white man praise?

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, Christine Yang!

BIG BAND FANFARE PLAYS

Now it's time to present the award for Outstanding Debut.

And the nominees are Aaron Sackley,

Laura Davis,

Abigail Alexis,

and Kwabena Robinson.

The judges said this fresh new talent... Oh...

..has a very bright future ahead of them,

after delivering a magnificent first film. It's OK.

And the Bafta for Outstanding Debut goes to...

..Kwabena Robinson for Jamaica Road!

CROWD CHEERS

Thank you, son.

Thank you.

Congratulations. Thank you.

CHANTING: Kwabena! Kwabena! Kwabena!

Kwabena! Kwabena! Kwabena!

VOICES FADE

ECHOING: Kwabena! Kwabena! Kwabena!

Kwabi! So sorry for the delays my end.

A pleasure to meet you. Pleasure to meet you.

And thank you for inviting me. Oh, not at all, not at all.

I loved your short, by the way. Oh, thank you so...

Now, I've heard that you're looking for your first TV job.

I just want to tell stories that matter.

Well, we've got something that really champions

black women's voices. OK.

It's called Baby Muddas. Uh...

A group of single mums struggling to survive in Brixton

who form a reggae choir.

A...

It's called Black Love Actually.

Think Love Actually, but instead of Christmas,

it takes place at Notting Hill Carnival.

It's a sweeping romcom... OK.

..torn apart by a violent stabbing.

So, it's about a black woman business owner

in Victorian England who employed freed slaves.

Oh.

What type of business did she run? A brothel.

Actually, thinking about it...

I've got one that's perfect for you.

Cut From A Different Kinte.

Grime and Punishment.

A gritty sci fi about the illegal drug trade across the galaxy.

It's called...

..Mandem In Outer Space.

KWABENA EXHALES

Now, there's nothing like seeing your script come to life, but...

Anyway, let's talk about my next project.

What did you think of From the Boats?

Yeah, I really enjoyed it.

Like, honestly, the... the writing was so sharp.

Erm, it was really a page turner.

Thank you, thank you.

You know, as a person of generational trauma,

I've always wanted to write something about immigration.

Sorry, wait, you wrote From The Boats?

Yes, brother.

Sorry. The story is about Jamaican immigrants,

and your name is Winston, which is a very common Jamaican...

..name, yes, I know, I know.

The amount of nicknames I had over the years.

HE CHUCKLES

Right, so, what inspired you to write this story?

The idea actually came from my gardener.

He and his wife are immigrants,

and I'm an immigrant. I'm...

Well, you get it.

And, uh, I saw their plight first-hand,

and I found their story fascinating.

Yeah...

Yeah, THEIR stories are fascinating.

You said you liked the script.

Yes! Before I found out it was written

by some middle-aged white guy.

Kwabs, he's Irish.

He gets it.

KWABENA SCOFFS

Plus, Winston's lived in Notting Hill for ages,

like, before gentrification. Oh, right...

So, he's basically a Yardie.

Look, I don't want to be a part of some white man's fantasy

about black people.

You can't keep turning up your nose at everything.

You want to direct, so direct.

Drew, if From The Boats is getting made,

why can't we push Jamaica Road?

Winston has three decades' experience,

and you have none.

Kwabs, your first job isn't necessarily going to be perfect.

You know, my first job was taking my boss's dog out to shit.

Look, this window of opportunity is closing.

Remember, like, right now, you're a bowl of porridge.

Porridge? Yeah.

You're hot...

..but leave it too long and you're going to go cold.

Drew, I just want something decent, something with substance.

That's all.

Find me that, and I'll smash the interview.

I promise.

Hey, Fiona. Hi! How was your holiday?

Oh. So lovely, thank you.

Went to the family home in Tonbridge.

Did some wild swimming. Oh, so nice.

Hi, everyone. Sorry I'm late.

Oh, but I come bearing good news.

The networks have a few slots opening up.

The brief is simple, entertaining television

with opportunities for diversity.

So, I'm hoping to get something to them by the end of next week.

Well...

I've got a dating show idea I've been developing.

Great. Let's hear it.

It's called Hot Baps.

Hot Baps?

Mm-hm. OK.

So, imagine MasterChef meets Naked Attraction.

Five naked contestants compete to win a bachelorette's heart.

Will she go for the man who looks good or cooks good?

Great. OK, well, thanks for that.

Erm, Abdul and I have been working on something for a while

that we think has real potential. Yeah.

Great. Let's hear it.

So, it's called My Favourite Meal.

Imagine, Who Do You Think You Are meets Parts Unknown.

I love that idea.

Picture Maya Jama going back to Somaliland to explore

the roots of bariis and hilib.

Jeez! Come on!

Come on. Yeah!

Hardly an ideal destination, though, is it?

Somaliland, ah...!

It's...

OK, erm... Yeah.

Sorry. As a biracial black woman,

I don't appreciate the racist undertones of your comment.

Fiona's black?

Yes.

My grandfather was Jamaican.

Oh. And, yeah, he left my grandma.

But I've been going to domino classes to reconnect with my roots.

Look, regardless, Abdul already has to deal with society

calling him a pirate. Whoa.

For you to undermine his culture as well...

Yeah, I was referring to the extremist terrorist threats,

not...not pirates.

Erm, I'm sorry for my inappropriate and...

FIONA SUCKS TEETH

..racist comment.

Are we OK to carry on, or would we like to take a moment?

We're fine. Calm.

Abdul, you can go on. So, we...

TEARFULLY: I'd actually like to take a moment.

FIONA BREATHES DEEPLY

Amy, you know I'm Ethiopian, right?

100%. Cool.

Fam, I don't know why Funmi's wasting all this money

on a birthday he won't remember.

But, anyways, you man got your tickets to the NLT party, yeah?

Hmm? Come on!

THEY LAUGH

Kwabs, stop being tight, blud.

I don't have the bread right now.

Then take a job, fam.

These tickets are an investment, bro.

Listen, you spend the £30 now, meet one of your artsy babes,

then you can take her out on one of your little cheap dates.

What are you talking about?

Hey, Kwabs loves a cheap date.

Walks in the park, visiting museums and them tings there.

And it's never the paid exhibitions.

Always the free ones!

I don't know why you men are laughing.

I took out Vanessa all the time. Where?

Bare picnics, fam!

THEY LAUGH

She's living her best life in New York, though.

Shame she left you for that rich brother.

Oh, mate.

She didn't leave me for no guy, bro.

So, who was that guy that she posted on IG in New York?

That tall guy?

Yeah, I can't lie, cuz, they were looking mad cosy.

Bruv, she can fuck whoever she wants. I don't care.

OK...

THEY LAUGH

Yeah, you know what? I'm going to buy you a ticket, man.

She can't be the only one moving on.

Hey, my guy cousin.

Big time director, what you say? DOORBELL RINGS

Hey, get him a drink, man. Looking tight over there, boy.

That's Auntie at the door, so fix your face.

You're looking stressed!

Yemi, how are the girls? Them good?

You know Talla, my youngest?

She's in her second year at Cambridge now. Nice, nice.

I think everyone knows, Mum.

If you see the pictures she sends me.

Look, this is her in her laboratory.

Oh! She look good.

We thank God, though.

He blessed me with such a brilliant daughter. Amen.

Ahem!

Two brilliant daughters.

You know, Amy has a big job in valuable entertainment.

Factual entertainment, Mum.

Taking care of the family, as usual.

Trying.

Ah, Kwabena.

Are you working now?

I hope you're taking care of Mum.

Uh, not quite yet, Auntie.

Erm, I'm having lots of meetings, they've been really good,

but haven't found the right one yet.

Hey, Kwabena.

So, you are still not working?

Ah!

I'm going to have to add you to my prayer list.

Well, ask the Lord for better eyesight.

Because from when since he's been looking, him still can't find a job.

SHE LAUGHS

No, Uncle, I'm just saying I'm being selective about the jobs I choose.

Oh, so you're choosing poverty?

Left the boy alone, eh?

He must figure himself out.

There's figuring himself out, and there's living at home

doing nothing. Nothing!

Uncle, you literally cussed me out for selling out Dorvin,

but now you're saying I should take any job?

Well, you sell him out already, boy.

Unless you selling it for free.

Wait... A charity, this?

Surely he's working small small, no?

Work? Which part? Where?

Kwabena is the only black man in England that never get no work

after Black Lives Matter.

THEY LAUGH

They even want me to come out of retirement,

and I not as black as he.

Barely black.

You and this backside light-skinned business, again.

Sis. What?

She have a point.

No, but the point is about integrity.

If I can stay at home, save a bit of money,

and just curate my career, I don't see what the problem is.

That's the problem right there, boy.

Right there.

Let me ask you, how much you can buy with integrity nowadays?

Hmm?

Look upon your mother.

She still have on her lanyard

because she have to go to work.

Today, on a Saturday.

Cos her broad back son want to curate him career.

Get a life, boy!

The only people in this house without a job is you

and the baby.

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear... #

SINGING TRAILS OFF

He said something, innit?

It's like no matter what I do, this man always has a problem.

Hmm.

Maybe he's just jealous that you're pursuing your dream.

I mean, didn't he want to be a singer?

Want?

The man sang at his brother's funeral.

Don't let him get to you, Kwabs.

Look, I'm heading to this film screening.

You should come.

There's going to be a little Q&A afterwards,

and it could be a good opportunity for you to network.

I'm not in the mood, I can't lie.

Yeah.

Best to go back upstairs to your loving uncle.

APPLAUSE

What a brilliant film.

Ladies and gentlemen, please give a wonderful welcome to the producer

of this film, who has returned from America today to be here with us.

Bridgette Julius.

Bridgette, congratulations on a truly incredible piece of work.

Thank you.

With such an accomplished film, I'm scared to ask,

where can you go from here?

Erm...

A genre-busting Regency drama.

Ooh! Can you tell us more?

I can, actually.

It's an adaptation of my favourite book, Sin and Subterfuge.

It's a heart-wrenching romance about a man who loses the woman he loves

when she's forced to move to the Americas.

We're ripping up the rules of the genre and using colour-blind casting

to create aspirational roles for black and brown actors.

We want to make something with integrity

and substance that pushes the boundaries.

It will be like nothing you've ever seen before.

I'm really excited about it.

Bridgette Julius, everyone. Thank you. Thank you.

Hey, shall we stay and try chat to Bridgette?

I've got an early start tomorrow.

Uh, listen, I'll stay, cos you have a job, I need one.

All right. Tell me how it goes. Yeah, catch you later.

Yo.

Sorry. Erm, did you direct The Naim by any chance?

Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Bro, it's sick, man. I'm a director too.

Came here to try and pitch to Bridgette.

Tinashe. Kwabena.

Yeah, respect. Respect, man.

Oh, rah, that's...

THEY BOTH SIGH

Bro, do you know what, yeah?

I think she's going to the green room.

Just through here, man.

Relax, though, man. I got this.

You all right there, beautiful?

Name's Tinashe.

Are you on the guest list?

Guest...

My name is Kwabena Robinson, I should be on the guest list.

No.

You're not on here, I'm afraid.

You know what?

That's the same problem I had at the box office.

They said if I said Nia's name, it should be fine.

Nia?

Nia Hays. The host of the event.

Look. See?

Go ahead. Thank you. Thank you.

Uh, this guy with you?

Uh...

This guy?

No.

Bro, you going to do me like that?

Hey, Bridgette. Sorry to interrupt.

I'm Kwabena.

I just wanted to say your film was phenomenal.

Well, thank you. Thank you.

Great show. Well done. Oh, thanks. Good to see you.

Uh, can I get you a drink or anything?

Actually, I'm just on my way out.

Oh, erm... Wait, wait, here's the thing. Here's the thing.

Look, I'm a director, and I'm looking for my first credit,

but my agent keeps putting me up for bare crap stuff.

And hearing you speak tonight, it was the first time I genuinely felt

inspired by a project.

And, look, I know this might be brash,

but could I interview for it?

You know what?

Here's my card.

Have your agent get in touch.

Thank you, thank you. Have a good night, yeah?

Mm-mm.

Come.

No, I'm easy, bro... I'm easy.

Don't run. Come.

No, Mum, they're not trying to break your leg.

Yeah, well, I got rid of the last carer

because you said she was nasty.

No, she heard you. She ain't coming back.

Yeah, look...

Mum, I have already paid for block sessions,

so we're just going to have to firm it.

DOORBELL RINGS

Yeah. Erm, look, someone's at the door, so I'm going to have to go.

Yeah, OK. We'll talk about it later.

OK. Love you. Love you too. Bye. Bye-bye.

SHE GROANS

DOORBELL RINGS INSISTENTLY

MUFFLED: Argh!

Sis! Tola.

You know how we always used to do each other's hair as kids, yeah,

and now I'm doing all the black girls' hair at Cambridge.

I mean, there's only five of us, but still.

Tola, I'm working on my pitch for tomorrow.

What is this all about?

Look, I'm wasting my time at Cambridge, sis.

These hands, they weren't meant for surgery.

They were meant for 40-inch bust downs!

Wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight.

Are you telling me you're dropping out of Cambridge to, what,

be an IG hairdresser?! I can't lie.

You sound bare elitist right now.

Good luck telling Mum.

Can I stay with you, please?

Until I've figured that part out.

Thanks! Oh, this is exactly what I need.

You should really drink red, though, sis.

It's good for your cholesterol.

# I said the stormy days are better, bro

# Yeah, ever since I started telling stories to the metronome

# The stormy days are better, bro

# Ever since I started telling stories to the metronome

# The stormy days are better, bro Yeah. #

Winston has finally got back to me

and officially offered you From The Boats.

No, no, no, no. I don't want it. SHE SIGHS

What? I want Sin And Subterfuge.

Kwabs, I know you love the project,

and I've emailed about you, but I never heard anything back.

Then follow up. Come on, Drew.

Look, I don't want to say this, cos it sounds really mean,

but I think that Bridgette was just being nice.

I'm sorry. I know that sounds awful, but it's a big show,

you know, and they are interviewing much more

experienced directors.

From The Boats is a great option, you know,

and I've negotiated a good fee.

This is a solid first directing job.

Drew, I don't want to sell out.

Well,

the difference between selling out and not selling out

is making money.

And that you haven't done.

Hey, Mum. Hey, baby.

Put this in the dishwasher for me when you're ready.

I'm stepping out. At this time! Yeah.

Emergency house call, so I'll be late.

I left some brown stew in the fridge for you.

Mum, I got offered a TV job today and I took it.

What?! Yeah. That's great!

Yeah, it's not great, but it's work, innit.

They want me to start tomorrow, so I'll be up all night.

But, yeah. Now I can pay for bills and stuff and...

I am proud of you.

Listen, Kwabs,

I don't mind you staying here with me, you know?

You don't have to listen to your uncle.

I just want you to be happy.

Yeah?

UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS

MUSIC INTENSIFIES

MUSIC SLOWS DISCORDANTLY

I should do it.

Don't do it!

Yo... Stop. Stop!

Please, sir. I want some more.

More?! Not...not more. Just...

Just the same as you.

We've given you blacks so much already. And we're grateful.

But...

..is it too much to ask for?

Kwabena Robinson has asked for more.

For more?! If we give them all more,

there'll be nothing left for us! Why should we give you more?

I may be black, but I'm not like those blacks.

MURMURING

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha!

DISTORTED LAUGHTER

Have more of this!

Argh!

UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS

PHONE VIBRATES

Hey, I'm here for a meeting. Hi.

What's your name? Kwabena Robinson.

Huh. Can't see you on here.

Yeah. Um... Look.

PHONE RINGS

Sorry. One sec.

Hi.

Deliveries go around the back. Oh, for Christ's sake.

OK, I'll come down and let you in.

I'm so sorry.

If you could just take a seat and I'll be back in five minutes.

Yep. Sure.

PHONE VIBRATES

Come in.

Bridgette. Hey. So sorry to barge in on you both like this,

but I haven't stopped thinking about the talk

you gave on Sin And Subterfuge the other day.

And I was just wondering if I could have, like,

15 minutes of your time to pitch my vision for it.

Sorry. Do you know him?

Oh, this is...Kwabena, right?

He's a young director looking for his first credit.

Well, it's great to see you again,

but I'm afraid we've wrapped up the interview process.

Have you decided?

Look, I understand your reluctance,

and I know this looks crazy, but I know I can do this.

My last short film, it won a Bifa award,

and I'm looking for my first opportunity.

And I do believe this is it. I appreciate your passion.

I'll keep you in mind for projects in the future.

No, no, no, no. Hang on, hang on a minute.

Do you know what? I respect the hustle.

Thank you so much, um... I'm Simon.

I'm the MD here at Ecofield and an exec on Sin And Subterfuge.

Pleasure to meet you, Simon.

You've got 15 minutes. Thank you. Have a seat.

Amy. Hey, Heather. I was thinking

about season one of My Favourite Meal.

Oh, I heard back from the network last night.

They loved My Favourite Meal... Yes!

..but they don't have the money to fund it, I'm afraid.

I'm sorry.

Oh, I really thought they'd go for it.

Mm. Um, well, I can rework the costs.

Um, we can just use UK celebrities.

Ah, you see, this is just the kind of creative thinking

that tells me you will make a great producer

for our new commission. Emma, thank you!

What's the show called?

Hot Baps! And they've commissioned it with a real commitment to

diversity behind the camera and on screen.

So it's still a win for us...sister.

OMG! Are we making Hot Baps?! Yes, we are!

THEY LAUGH AND SQUEAL

Hot Baps! Brot Braps!

I knew I was onto a winner. Yeah. Great idea!

Loved it from the start. Loved it from the start.

Oh, thank you so much.

You look... I love this, by the way.

SHE BREATHES DEEPLY

Thank you.

African queen! Oh, Jamaican.

SIMON: I really like Kwabena.

That pitch blew everyone else out of the water.

And I think he'll bring something that no-one else can.

I agree he does have talent, but he's not ready though, is he?

Well, we'll discuss more options later.

PHONE VIBRATES

Oh!

Right. That is little man down for the night.

What you saying, man?

Kwabs, you good?

Bro, how can Simon, some random guy give me a chance?

And it's Bridgette, the one who wasn't backing it.

You just have to forget about her. Move on to the next thing.

Oh, Jesus, Mo! Give her a chance.

She just came back from America a few weeks ago.

Yeah, but what does Bridgette coming back have to do with anything?

Who's Bridgette? The black producer.

The woman who I just interviewed with.

Oh, shit! Um... Wait, but who's come back from America?

Yeah. Who's come back from America, babe?

Vanessa's back from New York. What?! What?!

Did you know? How do you know? Sorry, Kwabs.

We still follow each other on Insta

and she liked one of my stories, and we got chatting.

You didn't tell me?

Why didn't you tell us, babe? That's crazy!

Maurice was supposed to tell you.

Nah, you lot violated. Don't need a job.

Don't need Vanessa. Don't need none of it.

Just forget this shit.

PHONE VIBRATES

OK, Kwabs, it's not even that deep.

Like, just give her a text, for God's sake.

OH! Oh! ARGH! Hey, Kwabs. You good?!

Yes. You man don't got me. I got me!

OK. Yeah.

He's taking this much worse than I thought, babe.