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Jords 'Dirt In The Diamond (a short film)' by Renee Maria Osubu

David Knight - 6th June 2023

Renee Maria Osubu tells the story of a grieving family, within the wider context of the Black British experience, in Dirt In The Diamond, a short film that incorporates three songs from Jords album, with the same name, performed by the artist.

In the first part, we are introduced to the main characters at a family gathering at the home of the Walkers, prior to the funeral of their son, where Jords performs MoBay with Tay Iwar. It's shot by cinematographer Courtney J. Bennett in rich colour, with an intimacy that recalls Steve McQueen's 'house party' film Lovers Rock.

That is followed by the funeral of the son - the procession behind the coffin and church service - shot in stark black and white, in which we hear iPray by Jords, Wretch 32 and Miles from Kinshasa. Finally, the drama is replaced by a montage of archive footage of Black Londoners from the 1970s to the present day - including footage of era-defining protests against racism and prejudice -  as Jords performs Fist In The Sky. 

Renee Maria Osubu brings the personal and the political together, and interrogates the nature of grief - which one character describes as "the truest form of love" - in compelling fashion.

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David Knight - 6th June 2023

Tags

  • New Director
  • Drama
  • Narrative
  • Pick of the Day
  • Performance
  • Short films
  • Special projects
  • UKMVAs 2023 nominee
  • Hip Hop
  • Funeral

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David Knight - 6th June 2023

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