Edition 24: 1–9 August, 2025

TRUTH PIERCING STORIES

Handsworth Songs

United Kingdom
1987 — 1' / Black & White

1

Synopsis

Documentary examining the 1985 riots in London and Birmingham's Handsworth district that erupted in reaction to the repressive policing of black communities.

Directors' Biography

Ghana born John Akomfrah is known for his experimental documentaries and video installations on the subjects of race, migration, and slavery in the encounters between European colonisers and African subjects.In the 1980s working in London, he helped found the Black Audio Film Collective and later set up the Smoking Dogs production company.

Directors

John Akomfrah

Producers

Lina Gopau

Cinematographers

Sebastian Shah

Editors

Anna Liebschner

Sound

Trevor Mathison