The newly produced stop-motion animated short Two Black Boys in Paradise, based on a poem by award-winning writer Dean Atta (The Black Flamingo) and narrated by musician, actor and writer Jordan Stephens, will have its U.K. premiere at BFI Flare London: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.
Directed by Baz Sells and written by Sells, Atta and Ben Jackson, the nine-minute short is produced by Manchester’s One6th Animation Studio, and was supported by the BFI Short Form Animation Fund, with early development support of actor Ian McKellen and Partizan Films.
“This process has been amazing because I didn’t know how an animation was made at all. It’s just mind boggling sometimes to know how many hands have had a part to play in making this happen,” said Atta. “I wrote a poem that could be like a film in people’s minds. But we’re not relying on people’s minds in terms of imagining it — we’re going to show it to them now, and that’s really wonderful!”
The film will screen at BFI Flare — Europe’s largest LGBTQIA+ film festival — on Sunday, March 23 in the “To Your Souls” U.K. & Ireland shorts selection within the Festival’s Hearts strand in BFI Southbank’s NFT1 in London, having enjoyed its world premiere at the prestigious Anima Festival in Brussels on Saturday, March 1. The film will also travel to the Tampere Film Festival in Finland from March 5-9 and the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs) in Palm Springs later in the month.
Produced in lovingly-crafted stop motion animation, Two Black Boys in Paradise tells the story of Eden (19) and Dula (18) — two black boys on a journey of self-acceptance — as their love for each other, and their refusal to hide it, lands them in a paradise free from shame and judgement.
Based on Atta’s poem from his acclaimed poetry collection There Is (still) Love Here, it explores themes of homophobia and racism, and tackles the real-life struggle of identity, sexuality and belonging.
“We cannot wait to introduce our film to audiences across Europe and the U.S.A. For years, I wanted to create a film rooted in my personal journey as a gay man,” said writer-producer Jackson. “I spent much of my life hiding my sexuality, only coming out at 30, and it took even longer to truly accept myself. But once I did, I started to discover so much more joy in life. That’s what this film is about for me — the joy of self-acceptance and self-love. I hope it resonates with people, offering them warmth, hope, and a sense of belonging.”
Sells added, “I’m profoundly grateful for the chance to visualize this beautiful and bold poem. The production has challenged us as an independent animation studio but we’ve relished the opportunity made possible by the BFI, Dean and our dedicated associates. This film is a celebration of Black and queer identity. It speaks to the transformative power of personal victories for people who are held back — whether by systematic or internal forces — and the overwhelming joy that can be found in self acceptance, personal empowerment and love”.
Actor Arun Blair-Mangat (Kinky Boots, In the Heights) provides non-verbal sounds for the film, alongside Jordan Stephens’ narration.
“I’ve known Dean for a while and I’m a fan of his presence, patience and devotion. The piece is gorgeous and I was drawn to the project from the jump, even before I lost myself in the animation,” said Stephens. “The whole project is an ode to belonging. And how complicated, difficult and messy that journey is. It’s an ode to love. Which is and will always be the greatest anything that life has to offer.”
Blair-Mangat said, “When I first saw Two Black Boys in Paradise I was deeply moved by the beautifully tender portrayal of Black queer love and the depiction of the characters’ sensuality and sexuality. It’s been a privilege to be involved with the project and I’m excited for everybody to see it.”
Two Black Boys in Paradise was made with the support of the BFI Short Form Animation fund, awarding National Lottery funding. A nationwide initiative, the competitive fund offers ambitious animation filmmakers the chance to access a higher level of funding, which is rarely accessible to short-form productions.
Two Black Boys in Paradise screens at the BFI Flare London: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival on March 23. The festival runs March 19-30 at BFI Southbank. www.bfi.org.uk
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