Step Forward Youth (Menelik Shabazz, UK, 1977)

My very first film back in 1977 about the first generation of black Brits. Then we were seen as outsiders, immigrants and we had the racist National Front more brutal than UKIP and skinheads botha boys who wanted to kick our heads in and loved Ska. More brutality came from the police and our parents chipped in with their own brand. We had to fight them (parents apart). We were the generation that had to fight, free up the streets, inspired by reggae, and soul, created lover’s rock and street style. I made this film to give us a voice at a time when we had none. Interviewed in the film is Drummie Zeb of Aswad when he was still at school determined to be a reggae drummer. He like some of us fulfilled our dreams despite the challenges.“ -- Menelik Shabazz