Original subtitles

[sniffs, clears throat]

♪ ♪

Could you just leave, please?

I don't know, babe.

I like living rent-free.

Errol? What are you doing here?

I could ask you the same question!

Kwabena! Good morning!

How are you? Have you-- have you had any breakfast?

Erm, no. I've been in costume since 5:00.

Oh, you're in for a treat.

We've hired a Caribbean food truck to celebrate

Barbados' National Heroes Day.

The ackee and saltfish is delicious, actually. Uh...

-Does Barbados make ackee? -[Simon] Yeah. Lin, can we--

can we have an ackee and salt fish for,

-for Mr. Robinson, please? -[Lin] Yup, copy that.

So, I won't, er, I won't keep you long.

I just wanna fill you in.

-Uh-hmm. -So, we had a call,

er, from Pippa this morning.

Er, she wants to come and do a set visit.

-Oh, er... -Oh, no, no. Don't worry.

It's nothing, nothing ominous. Just a drop in.

You know she's very excited about the show.

Oh, okay. Good. Erm...

so she's not here to mark my homework?

[laughs] No, no, not at all.

But, but that, that, that said,

erm, I think everyone should be on their A-game.

Yeah. Pippa, she's a sweetheart, but she can be a bit of a--

you know, formidable, formidable.

That's, that's a better way to, to put it.

Right. Erm...

are you sure this is the best time?

Today's schedule is mental.

No, I know. I know. It--it's tight.

But, erm, obviously, we've, we've run over a few times.

But you've got this, Kwabs.

If anyone can make up the time, it's you.

[sighs] Can we talk to Bridgette about this, please?

Oh, no, she's on a-- she's on a, a budget call.

But we, we signed off the schedule together,

and, you know, we're confident that it can work.

Today is your chance to really shine, Kwabs,

-especially with Pippa here. -Okay.

So, er, so what do you think? Are you up for it?

Erm, yeah. Okay. Let's do it.

Nice. See you on set. [clears throat]

[sighs]

-Hi. -Hey, good morning.

-Is this ackee and salt fish? -Yeah.

[singer] ♪ Everybody wants to live a good life ♪

♪ But everything's getting fucking harder ♪

Oh, Tols, come on. We've got to leave.

-You're gonna miss your train. -I haven't booked my train.

I'm sorry, what?

Oh, I don't book online. That stresses me out.

I'll just buy a ticket when I get there.

It is cheaper if you buy in advance.

It is?

[singer] ♪ Why you calling me ♪

How are you a whole Cambridge University student right now?

Can you book it for me, please?

[Amy] Negative. I am not being your enabler anymore.

Okay. Can I use your laptop then?

-[chuckles] -I need it to book the ticket!

[sighs] Fine. Just hurry up!

[singer] ♪ Show me your magic baby, I'm good ♪

Is this my renaissance T-shirt in your bag?

Huh?

Yeah, that's, that's, that's very spooky.

You should anoint this place.

[singer] ♪ No, I'm good ♪

♪ You are the only one ♪

♪ I'm good ♪

[Amy] You're not even packing and folding

these things properly.

Look. Is this my--

is this my head scarf? My head scarf.

Okay. You, you have your wigs, that's fine.

You have your wigs, you don't need this.

-Uh-hmm. Uh-hmm. Don't worry. -...because it's so tight.

-I got it. I got it. -Please.

-Guys, gather around, please. -Hello. Come on.

Come. Come. Let's go.

All right. So for today, we're gonna start

with the aerial shot of the rioters

as they charge towards the mansion, right?

And then we're gonna track through the crowd

to really sell the scale of the revolt, right,

as they smash the door down.

Okay. Kwabena,

to do all this, with this schedule, it's...

Listen, listen.

I know it's tough, right?

But this is what we have, unfortunately, right?

But we have a great crew, yeah.

And I know we can do this,

-right? -Right.

-Alexandros, let's show them. -Yes, yes.

-So, are you in? -I'm in!

Bring it in! Right. Ready! Right, in three...

Feel the rhythm!

Oh, sorry.

I got--I get too excited.

-Carry on. -You know what, why not?

Bring it in.

[all] Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up!

It's filming time! Cool runnings!

Oh, loving the team spirit, guys.

Kwabs, this is Pippa and her assistant Chloe.

Kwabs, so lovely to meet our star director.

I'm hearing wonderful things.

Ah. Erm, well, it's a pleasure to meet you too.

And, and this is Alexandros.

He's another branch of our diversity tree.

-Is he? -Yes, I'm Greek.

-That counts! -Exactly.

We're, er, so excited for this show.

We're loving everything you're doing,

even the fact you've got a Caribbean food truck.

Yeah, yeah. Erm, we're celebrating...

-Barbados. -Barbados' National Heroes Day.

It's so wonderful.

I have never seen that on a set ever.

But that is what this

is all about, yeah? Uh-hmm.

-Absolutely. -Uh-hmm.

You know, I'd recommend the ackee and salt fish.

You have to try it on rye.

I will. [chuckles]

All right. Take care. All right. Cool.

The network exec-- that's never a good sign.

Oh, no, it's calm. She loves the show apparently.

Hmm, right. And I'm sure she's here to give us

high-fives and back rubs.

Anyway, come on.

We've got no time. Let's go. Let's go.

-Yeah. -Let's go, let's go, let's go.

No. You've known about this for weeks.

The nursery stressed how important it is

we're both here.

[Maurice] [on phone] How else do you want me to pay

for these nursery fees?

Your money isn't enough.

I need you to turn up for our son.

You're missing out on so much.

[Maurice] [on phone] I'm sorry, babe.

Let's talk about it when I get home.

Ugh. Whatever, Mo.

Was that Mayowa's dad?

Er, yeah. He's cancelling at, at the last minute again.

Unbelievable. [sighs]

Can I get you a tea or anything?

You must be exhausted. Here, have my seat.

Oh, no. I'm, I'm good. Thank you. [laughs]

Do you have any help at home, your parents or anyone?

No, no. My mum's back in Nigeria at the moment.

Wow, kudos to you.

I don't know how you cope.

I mean, what kind of man leaves someone

to raise their son as a single mum?

You're doing an amazing job, doing it all by yourself.

Mayowa is so well adjusted.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I am doing it by myself.

Just like my mother said,

men love to procreate, but not cultivate.

Uh-hmm.

[singer vocalising]

[Kwabena] All right. Can we have the extras in, please?

Erm, can we get the rest of the extras in, please?

-This is all of them. -What?

Bro, how are four people a revolt?

They couldn't even break a door down!

Bridgette!

Who arranged for the SAs?

[sighs] You were emailed about this two days ago.

But, uh--no, but I've been busy with the new schedule

and then I've been trying

to figure out the costume department.

Kwabena, this is part of your job.

There isn't much I can do about it right now.

Yes, but four people?

Keep your voice down.

Okay, okay. We could say, erm,

that, that they were the first ones to arrive?

They, they, they came for a good view, huh?

They're Black.

They wouldn't be early.

[exhales sharply] I don't-- look, I mean, er, make a plan.

[sighs]

Wait. Hang on.

Tell Sean to get the 50mil. Cool? Thank you.

Close the doors!

[crowd shouting]

There are too many!

Fetch the carriage!

-[crowd shouting] -[Kwabena] And cut! Cut! Cut!

Thank you very much, guys.

I can't lie, your acting is better

than your ackee and salt fish.

Thank you so much.

Oh. All right.

-Can we get a playback, please? -Yeah, sure.

-[sighs] Thank you. -[on recording] [crowd shouting]

Hey, you know what? This works, you know?

It definitely does!

I was a bit concerned though when I saw the four extras,

but what you did worked brilliantly.

And that is a testament to your directing skills.

-Thank you, Pippa. -[Simon] Pippa! Car's here.

You know, we're just off to a lunch meeting at the Groucho,

but we'll be back to watch you film the carriage scene!

-Okay. -[Pippa] My favourite scene.

-Yeah, amazing. It'll be great. -I cannot wait.

"My favourite scene."

Anyway, we've got a much bigger problem.

Come with me.

[singer vocalising]

[sighs]

Why are you here?

Hey, Mum.

Everything all right?

Take a seat.

Tola tells me you turned down the job you really wanted.

-What? -[Yemi] Girls.

I'm sorry. I saw the email. It wasn't on purpose.

So, you couldn't come to me first?

Girls!

After I kept your secret that you left Cambridge?

-Fola, why would you say that? -Eh?

-You failed Cambridge? -I didn't fail Cambridge.

-I just wanted to drop out. -Drop out? Are you mad?

-Mum, Mum. -Mum, sit down.

You're missing the point here.

We're here to convince Amy to take her dream job!

I will deal with you later.

Why are you blocking your own blessings?

Mummy.

The new job, they're offering half my current salary,

which means I can't afford for your care.

Did you girls ever go without anything?

-No. -Exactly.

God will make a way.

Look, Fola, you've taken good care of me.

I can look after myself.

Sorry. Just to go back to never went without,

-I can name a few... -Shh.

Mum, seriously...

how are you gonna pay for your carer?

Fola, don't worry.

Just take the job, okay?

This is what I was trying to say.

If I drop out of Cambridge...

You better stop all that rubbish!

You think we spent all this money

-for you to quit medicine? -I don't wanna quit medicine.

I wanna transfer and study in London.

So you want to leave Cambridge to do what,

go to University of East London?

No, I'd go to UCL.

Oh. So it doesn't even have a proper name, just letters?

No. It stands for University College London

and it's a top university, Mum.

-Fola... -No, it's true.

If I transfer and study in London,

I can help with your care and Amy can take her job!

You've been holding this down for as long as I can remember.

Let me do this for you.

I want to do this for you.

Besides your naked cooking show really isn't it babe.

Hopefully the job's still available.

-I'm gonna email right now. -[laughs]

Thanks, Mummy.

[sighs]

Thank you for being understanding, Mum.

Understanding?

[speaking Yoruba]

Jesse, my darling,

this is Kwabena, our director.

Kwabena, this is Jesse.

-Pleasure to meet you, man. -Rudolph's stunt double.

Did no one check they had the same complexion?

I know. I mean, we ordered Americano.

-We get a latte. -Fuck.

[Jesse] This happens to me all the time, bro.

People read the word "Black"

and assume we all look the same.

But my dad's Guyanese.

Desmond's Guyanese or Central Cee?

Both, actually.

If it helps, I've been an Indian man before,

a Chinese man.

I've even doubled for JLo.

-Yeah. Let's Black him up. -No...

Erm, I'm not comfortable with this.

Look, I know it's not ideal,

but we don't have another option.

I'm sorry but as an ally,

I cannot, in good conscience,

participate in systems that perpetuate

the structural oppression of marginalised communities.

Look, and I appreciate your ally-ship,

but Jesse you're okay with it, yeah?

Absolutely. You have my consent.

-It's a consensual Blacking up. -I don't know, Kwabena.

You know, my White friends got suspended from University

for dressing up as Destiny's Child.

Yes, because that's racist, okay?

Look, changing the colour is bad,

but enhancing the colour is okay.

Look, today is a big day and we need to get this stunt,

so I'm making the call, okay? It's on me.

Okay. And I want the record to show it was not my idea.

Fine. Safe.

And, and how about we just keep this

on the down low, yeah?

Yeah. Thanks.

Oh. Wait, wait, wait.

Can we just put her hair in a head wrap?

Yeah. It would look great in a head wrap.

Trust me. Thank you. Thank you.

And we get everyone in position. Thank you, my darling.

Oh, Kwabena! I've been looking for you!

-That was a quick lunch. -No, we haven't been yet.

I was in the car and I got a--I got a call.

Listen, er, the horse handler has died.

-Huh? -What the fuck?

Yeah, just sort of killed apparently.

By a horse?

[sighs] No, by a car. He was trying to rescue

one of his bloody horses in the road.

Oh. So ironic.

Like when the Australian crocodile guy

got killed by a sting ray.

It's crazy.

Look, is there another company we could call?

No, I already tried.

So what, we have to move a carriage without horses?

Well, yeah.

Fuck.

The actors, they can say the lines

in front of the manor house.

Oh, don't you think that's pretty anti-climactic?

Well, unless you're gonna resurrect the horse handler,

we don't have a choice.

We could green screen it?

We, we move the carriage onto the sound stage?

And I think that, that would-- that would work, wouldn't it?

In theory, but none of the crew have prepped.

Oh, no. We got a really good crew.

Besides, you know, it's a scene a lot of people

are very excited about.

Especially Pippa.

It'd be a real shame to lose it.

Look, this is your moment to shine, Kwabs.

But, you know, I don't wanna make you feel

uncomfortable either,

it's your choice.

I mean, we could cheat a few shots

but we can probably do it.

Yes! Kwabs, yes!

The main man! I'll move the carriage

and, er, tell Pippa the good news. [laughs]

[Alexandros] Okay. We're going green screen.

Right. So Roxie's character

is gonna be "leaving" in the carriage,

but Jesse, who plays Rudolph's stunt double,

is no longer riding up. He's going to run up,

jump in the carriage,

and then we're gonna run the scene.

Right. So camera crew, remember,

keep the clean frames so that we can VFX

the horses afterwards. Are there any questions?

-[crew] No. -No? Good. Great.

Right. So we're gonna go straight for a take.

Go on first positions, everyone!

[applauding]

-Kwabs. -Hey.

I just wanted to say good luck.

I have been looking forward to this scene since day one!

Amazing.

Call it.

[Alexandros] Roll sound. Roll camera.

[crew] 509, take one.

And action!

Cut! Cut!

We need to make the carriage look like it's moving.

Kwabena, look, erm, Pippa and Simon were just chatting.

They were saying, wouldn't it be better

if you make the carriage look like it's moving?

Yeah, don't worry. Don't worry.

We were just saying the same thing.

Yeah, you can just let them know that we're all over it.

-Okay. Yeah, good. -Thank you. Thank you.

-Kwabs? -Hey.

Everything okay?

Erm, do you think you can introduce me to Pippa?

-What? -I want to pitch her

a documentary idea I've had about women

who've murdered their boyfriend's plants.

-I'm a bit busy right now. -Okay.

-Yeah. Right. -Right.

-Later then. -But, er, I'll try later.

-It's a good idea, isn't it? -Yeah? Yes, it's a good idea.

-Thank you. Thank you. -Yeah, thank you.

Actually, plants.

All right. Team. So here's what we're gonna do.

I need leaves, branches.

Anything you can get from outside, okay?

All forms of foliage.

Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

Thank you!

♪ ♪

[groans]

Hmm. Babe, you look nice.

[chuckles] Correct.

But babe, I can't lie, I'm mad tired.

I'm not on anything tonight.

Good because you're staying in.

Oh, and you're dropping Mayowa off tomorrow.

Ooh, babe. Erm, I've got work tomorrow.

[scoffs] Shock.

What?

Baby,

I do every drop off, yeah,

every pick up, every bath time, every bed time.

And I appreciate that, babe, I really do.

But you--you're acting like I'm, I'm going out-out.

I'm going to work for us.

Babe, when I went to the Parents' Day,

they all assumed I was a single mother.

And you wanna blame their racism on me?

Well, they wouldn't have assumed anything if you just came.

Typical. Blame everything on the Black man.

This is literally the Black man's fault.

What are you on about? Mo, it was so upsetting.

No one wanted to talk to me.

I just stood at the back alone.

Really?

It was so hard, you know,

feeling so ostracised,

so judged.

I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry. Come here.

-Okay. Erm, I let you down. -Uh-hmm.

-And I'm sorry. -You did.

I'm gonna be there. I'm gonna be at the next ones.

I'm gonna do more pickups, more drop offs.

I'm gonna do some more nappies, okay?

-Okay. -I'm sorry, baby.

-[doorbell rings] -Keep trying.

Oh, my God, hi!

[Kirsten] I know we arranged to meet downstairs

but since you're on your own,

I thought I'd bring you some lasagne!

Oh, you're so kind!

-Hi. -Erm, this is, er...

the babysitter, Kevin.

Oh, nice to meet you, Kevin.

And so lovely to see a man in your line of work.

It's important for boys to have male role models.

Erm, actually, I don't suppose next week

you might have availability.

Er, I'll send you the details. We should probably go.

[chuckles] Erm, Kevin, thank you.

Help yourself to some food.

Thanks. Thanks, madam.

Rudolph's stunt double is here.

Fair play. All right. Er, we're gonna turn over.

[crew] 509, take two.

And foliage!

And action!

[Jesse] Lady Bantam!

Lord Yarderton! What are you doing here?

Still not working.

Cut!

Maybe if you shake the carriage?

We think it might help if you shake the carriage?

Great idea, Simon.

Yeah.

Can we get a runner on that, please?

-We have no more runners. -And then you go do it.

No, I--I'm sure you're on top of it,

we're just--we're just aware of the schedule.

And now you care about the schedule?

Blud, why don't you go back to the Groucho club?

Kwabs, are you listening? Kwabs?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

Bridgette, stay with Kwabs and try

-and hurry things along, okay? -Yeah.

No, he's, he's got a plan. They're gonna--they're gonna...

All right. We're gonna pick it up from Roxie's line.

All right. Foliage!

Carriage!

And action!

[whispering] He's gotta-he's gotta do more.

-More. More. More. -Harder.

Harder on the carriage!

Not just left and right. Up and down.

-Harder. -Harder on the carriage still!

-Much more. -Much more.

-Harder! -I'm trying, Kwabena!

-Just keep going. -Fuck it.

-This is not fucking working. -No, no, no, look.

Harder, Kwabena!

[grunting]

All right. Cue Roxie's line!

Lord Yarderton! What are you doing here?

You can't leave for the Americas.

[Roxie] But I must.

[Jesse] But has your heart decided.

[screaming]

Okay. Are you--

Is, is everyone okay?

Is everyone okay?

-Rox? -I'm fine.

-Yeah? Oh, God. -Fine. I'm fine here.

-Come out, come out, come out. -[Roxie] It's good.

Jesus.

-Yeah? Okay. You okay? Good. -Yeah. Yeah.

-Yeah, it's fine. -All right.

-[exhales sharply] -No worries everybody.

Oh, my God.

Did we get it?

[coughs]

I'm good. I'm good.

[sighs]

[crew] He is not like, Black, Black.

Hey, Simon.

Well, it's probably not gonna surprise you--

Pippa isn't happy.

Yeah. Today was just crazy...

No, it's not just today,

I'm afraid.

I, I didn't wanna worry you

but there have been concerns for a while,

and, and, and that's before we even mentioned today.

But Simon, you said Pippa wanted the carriage,

so I really tried to make it work.

Yeah, I'm talking more about Blacking up the stunt man.

Surely I don't need to explain to you how problematic that is?

Jesse said he was fine with it.

But Katie wasn't, and she made that clear to you.

You made her a racist.

Oh...

I really didn't think it was a big deal.

Yeah. Maybe not in 1920. Maybe not even in 2019.

But today, we cannot be Blacking up talent.

You know, with everything we're trying to do

with this show, you of all people

should know that kind of behaviour can't be tolerated.

Pippa is embarrassed!

And to top it all off,

you still haven't made the days,

which I specifically warned you about.

Look, Simon, I'm sorry...

I'm sorry, too, Kwabs.

But, you know, these last weeks have been hard for everyone.

That's just the way it is in this industry.

You know, some people just aren't cut out for it.

Look, it genuinely pains me to do this

but while we've still got some grasp on damage control,

I, I think it's best if we...

part ways.

[scoffs] Have you got anything to say?

Thank you for the opportunity.

Sanka, you dead? [laughs]

See you tomorrow.

Cool runnings!

[singer] ♪ I am Black ♪

♪ Black ♪

[light shuts off]

[singer] ♪ I am Black ♪

♪ Heavenly Father sorry to bother ♪

♪ I know you got a lot of shit ♪

♪ That you gotta deal with ♪

♪ But on some real shit right now I'm in a bother ♪

♪ And thought I should holler, yeah ♪

♪ Heavenly Father sorry to bother ♪

♪ How come me and my brother were born in the gutter? ♪

♪ How come everybody there was a similar colour? ♪

♪ Do you fight for one side and not for the other? ♪

♪ Er, put some Black in my step ♪

♪ Tell them, "Run me my check" ♪

♪ I want money, respect ♪ ♪ I am Black ♪

♪ So it's difficult loving myself ♪