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Mirror Mirror - The Early Films of Yugesh Walia (12A*) + ScreenTalk

London Indian Film Festival

,Barbican Cinema 2
A young woman looks at her reflection, in a still from Mirror Mirror

A trilogy of early short films by the pioneering Midlands based filmmaker, Yugesh Walia. 

Exploring themes of culture and identity in 1980s Britain, this trio of films presents a unique cultural record and perspectives of those turbulent times for Asian and Black immigrant communities in the UK.

These films were produced by Roger Shannon at the Birmingham Film Workshop, and Roger joins us for a ScreenTalk after the screening. 

Take a look at the programme below. 

Tagged with: Cinema London Indian Film Festival 2022 Talks & events

Please note the screening includes descriptions of racist behaviour and discriminatory language.

Programme

Mirror, Mirror
Premiering at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 1980, Yugesh Walia’s debut short film is one of the first to explore the cultural conflicts experienced by young Asians born in the UK whose parents were first generation immigrants. Jo is a twenty something Asian woman estranged from her family and living on her own. Her life unfolds in the form of her thoughts during an evening alone at home.
UK 1980 Dir Yugesh Walia 25 min

Sweet Chariot
The influence of black urban blues on many white recording artists is indisputable. Eric Clapton recorded ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ while being responsible for some controversial views on repatriation of immigrants. Taking this irony as its basic theme, this short film attempts to show the way in which white society adopts black culture – focusing on music, dance and fashion – and yet rejects it through racism. It follows an evening in the life of Pauline, a young black woman and a dancer who is confronted by these attitudes on a daily basis. 
UK 1981 Dir Yugesh Walia 23 min

African Oasis
The Handsworth Cultural Centre in Birmingham was a community-based arts project initiated and funded by the Probation Service in the 70s to channel the energies of young black offenders into arts and performance; the centre was open to non-offenders as well. Within a few years the Centre moved on from being an after-care facility to an oasis of cultural activity for Handsworth’s black community. African Oasis focuses on ‘Kokuma’, the centre-based dance and drumming group, the music recording studio, and the building of an African village to the rear of the Centre – an affirmation of cultural roots for Handsworth’s community. 
UK 1982 Dir Yugesh Walia 35 min

Barbican Cinema 2

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.