Why the best black British directors go to America

Black British actors became so successful in Hollywood around the turn of the century that it’s tempting to think of our television and film industry as a model of diversity.

The well-trodden path to stardom began in 2002 with Idris Elba’s debut as Stringer Bell on the hit HBO series. Cable.

Many followed. David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomie Harris paved the way for a new generation of black British actors, including John Boyega, Daniel Ezra, Aaron Pierre, Naomi Aki and Rege-Jean Page, well known to the American public.

But much of this hard-won recognition has come about as a result of the TV industry’s neglect in the UK, necessitating auditions elsewhere. “I shouldn’t think I have to move to America to have a great career,” said Oxford native David Oyelowo, who won a Golden Globe for his role as Martin Luther King in the Hollywood film Selma.

Times have changed. Oyelowo has BLE. Luther made Elba one of the biggest stars on British television, and black actors are regularly featured in prime-time dramas. But old problems remain with the director’s chair.

Two black directors made a rare breakthrough at the recent Royal Television Society Awards, which were attended by Kate Winslet, Martin Freeman, Stephen Merchant and more. Femi Oyeniran and Nicky “Slimmed” Walker won Best Art for their five-part documentary series. Development of black British musica flawless journey through 30 years of subcultures, from jungle to mud.

However, Oyeniran and Walker now want to develop their careers on the other side of the Atlantic. “Phones don’t ring and doors don’t open,” Walker says. “How long can we fight here as filmmakers? We go where we are welcome and where there is an opportunity. A lot of actors have gone there and become big stars and I think that’s what’s going to happen to black British directors now.”

Although her show won a prestigious award, it was only seen by a narrow audience on BET’s digital channel, which airs on Channel 5. Oyeniran is a successful actor who starred in a British feature film. youthHe believes the series wouldn’t have hit TV at all without BET Commissioner Cicelia Dean, who was not used to the rapturous scenes he portrayed. “The ultimate reason it was created [was that] We approached a black woman,” says Oyeniran.

The result is a series of remarkable authenticity. “There are a lot of stories that no one knew about, that’s all. [because of] the access we had,” Walker says; He is a longtime DJ with extensive connections in the music underground. “We studied how these people feel, and they trusted us to tell them about it.”

When directors are pulled out of a narrow funnel, we see only a limited picture of society. Because, says Oyeniran, actors are the faces of television and film, and directors are “visionaries.”

He notes that white working-class administrators are also neglected. The same can be said about directors of Asian origin. In the era of cell phone cameras and YouTube, these barriers should no longer exist.

Walker does not expect changes in the industry. “I came from a do-it-yourself spirit—I didn’t go to college to study film,” he says. “If you are waiting for someone to give you a job, they will ask you: “Where did you study and where is your resume?” Broadcasters are afraid to give someone a first chance.” After founding their own FAN Studios, Oyeniran and Walker parted ways. They had a hit on Netflix in 2016 with the crime drama Intention.

Even this success with a global platform stems from their DIY principle. They self-financed the film, which starred British rappers Scorcher, Krept and Conan. Walker used the marketing skills he learned as a rave promoter to propel him to the top of the UK iTunes Movie Chart alongside Hollywood blockbusters. Only then was it licensed by the streaming giant.

In 2015, the UK Directors Association reported that only 2.5 per cent of British television directors came from ethnic minorities. Despite Sir Lenny Henry’s massive efforts to increase participation behind the camera, little progress has been made. Oscar-winning filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen is an inspiration to young filmmakers, but the former Turner Award-winning filmmaker made his mark on the art world, not on television.

With a hint of nostalgia, Oyeniran and Walker are looking forward to their next project in Los Angeles. “I feel like the British industry has nothing against black stories,” Oyeniran says, “but they don’t really want black people to be held accountable for telling those stories.”