Seminal writer and director Steve Mcqueen has unleashed an anthology of feature length films on the BBC, giving an indepth look into the lives of West Indian Migrants in Britain, from historic moments to glimpses into daily life from the 1960s to the 1980s. Mcqueen paints a colourful portrait with tragedy, defiance and beauty.

Mangrove

The first in the series tells the story of the iconic Caribbean restaurant “The Mangrove” in Notting Hill, which served as a community hub for the West Indian community in the area from the late 60s until it closed in 1992. After constant harassment, raids and violence from the police, the local community protested the discrimination, leading to community leaders being arrested for “inciting a riot”. The show focuses on the court case, famously known as “The Trial Of The Mangrove 9” which became historic when all were acquitted and the trial became the first to acknowledge racism within the Met Police. 

This installment features stellar performances from Letitia Wright, Shaun Parkes and Malachi Kirby. 

Lovers Rock 

This beautifully shot piece centres around a house party in West London, during the criminally underreported “Lovers Rock” scene of the 1980s. A subgenre of Reggae that became very popular in London’s West Indian community, that as the name suggests, primarily consisted of ballads by female singers. This film centres on a handful of characters finding romance at the house party, with Michael Ward taking a leading role.