CALL TO ACTION: Women of Colour On and Behind The Camera is a curated programme by Reclaim The Frame, a charity championing marginalised perspectives in cinema, connecting with audiences through community building and conversation. This season centres women of colour working in the action genre from the 90s to the present - both behind the camera: as writers and directors - and on screen: as actors and stunt performers.
This season will include films Set It Off (directed by F. Gary Gray and written by Takashi Bufford and Kate Lanier, 1996), D.E.B.S. (directed and written by Angela Robinson, 2004), The Woman King (directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens and Maria Bello, 2022), Polite Society (directed and written by Nida Manzoor, 2023). Special events will encompass panel conversations and demos with special guests, including stunt performer Ayesha Hussain. The season will tour various venues across the UK including Hackney Picturehouse (London), Dukes at Komedia Picturehouse (Brighton), Glasgow Film Theatre, and Midlands Art Centre (Birmingham).
These films serve as a jumping point to reflect on the realities of women holding intersectional identities through stories of friendship, revenge, coming of age, and ultimately, the empowerment to stand true to themselves. In a genre historically not used to tell these stories, CALL TO ACTION aims to reclaim action for diverse and intersectional audiences.
Where available, films will be screened with descriptive subtitles and optional audio description. Where possible, in-person discussions will be live captioned.
SET IT OFF
(USA 1996, 117mins, cert: 15)
Directed by F. Gary Gray
Written by Takashi Bufford and Kate Lanier
Starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise, Blair Underwood
When four best friends Frankie (Vivica A. Fox), Tisean (Kimberly Elise), Cleo (Queen Latifah), and Stony (Jada Pinkett) find themselves in a financial bind, they need to come up with a way to make money - and fast. With disguises and getaway cars, a plan to rob banks is born, going to great lengths to beat the systems that have worked against them, all while law enforcement is hot on their trail. Set It Off is a beloved 90’s cult classic, reclaiming and transcending the male dominated heist film genre by centering the unshakable bond between women.
Screenings:
D.E.B.S.
(USA 2004, 91 mins, BBFC Rating 12)
Directed by Angela Robinson
Written by Angela Robinson
Starring Meagan Good, Devon Aoki, Sara Foster, Jordana Brewster, Jill Ritchie, Holland Taylor
Recruited through a covert test in the SATs, Max (Meagan Good), Dominique (Devon Aoki), Amy (Sara Foster), and Janet (Jill Ritchie) are a part of the prestigious top secret academy for exceptional spies in the making. While attempting to defeat super villain Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster), the women’s relationships are not only challenged, but redefined. A campy cult classic, D.E.B.S. puts a sapphic twist on the likes of Charlie’s Angels and crime-fighting friends we’ve come to know and love today.
Screenings:
THE WOMAN KING
(USA 2022, 135 mins, BBFC Rating 15)
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Written by Dana Stevens, Maria Bello
Starring Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, John Boyega
In 1832, the Kingdom of Dahomey is under threat and the all-female team of warriors, the Agojie, are determined to defeat their enemies. Lead by headstong General Nanisca (Viola Davis) and trusted confidants, Izogie (Lashana Lynch) and Amenza (Sheila Atim), they teach the young women of their found family just what it means to protect their home and people. Inspired by true events, The Woman King explores underrepresented histories of women at the forefront of their own triumphs.
Screenings
POLITE SOCIETY
(UK 2023, 103 mins, BBFC Rating 12)
Directed by Nida Manzoor
Written by Nida Manzoor
Starring Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Nimra Bucha
16 year-old Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) has two goals - to become a stuntwoman just like her shero, Eunice Huthart, and to stop her older sister Lena (Ritu Arya) from marrying an all too suspicious surgeon and mama’s boy, Salim. With the help of her best friends, Ria sets out to investigate Lena’s soon to be mother-in-law (Nimra Bucha), and pull off her first ever wedding heist in hopes of reminding her sister of the path she’s truly meant to take. Polite Society reminds us our dreams don't become a reality without a good fight.
Screenings:
Screening as part of Art of Action, a UK-wide film season supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network.