REVIEW - Black, Queer & Done (Nyasha Daley)

Directed by Nyasha Daley (an artist from Coventry in England, renowned as an accomplished storyteller and producer with a background in theatre and performance poetry), Black, Queer & Done had its premiere at the prestigious Belgrade Theatre as part of the celebrations for Coventry Pride in 2022, and represents a journey of research and interviews to explore "the experiences and representation of Black LGBT+ people within the arts, culture and media sectors", spanning a two year period.

In this documentary feature, viewers are treated to the testimonies of several artists and industry professionals given in "online focus groups", as well as some material from sit-down interviews, which is also interspersed with some segments where some of the artists have a chance to showcase their creative work. The interviews reveal that, as ever, with subject matters as complex as this, and when dealing with human issues there is rarely a 'one size fits all' solution; and one interviewee in particular is clearly more overtly and emotionally impacted by their experience of being on-camera to discuss personal issues of their own sexuality, which shows that, at least for some members of LGBT+ community, there may very well be a preference to adopt a more reserved approach, one of quiet dignity and privacy.

Exploring and discussing issues of sexuality and race, can often be difficult and emotive, and can also present a multitude of ripe opportunities for misunderstanding, difference of opinion and conflict. Black, Queer & Done does a good job of showing that in the face of all this, it is not only good to talk about these issues in modern society, but essential - especially if there is to be pursuit of respect, understanding and fairness.

The story told here is a complicated and intricate one, one loaded with nuances, subtlety and the subjective experiences of a range of contributors; however I do feel the narrative and pacing were adversely affected by the presentation, with the decision to use footage from online focus groups recorded on webcams massively detracting from the overall visual aesthetics, which is a serious shame, making this feel much more like a DIY/amateur production for YouTube, rather than a film financed by a grant of £15,000 from Arts Council England, where it might be reasonable to expect greater attention being given to the overall production quality.

That said, whilst significant and problematic, the criticisms of pacing and production quality do not negate the sentiments being expressed, and it is important to note that there is also much to commend here. The numerous pearls of wisdom, the great multitude of testimonies and experiences of the interviewees included. all serve as vehicles for learning and personal growth, encouraging reflection, introspection and inviting viewers to take a walk in their shoes, which can only be of merit to future artists navigating through the minefields of race, sexuality and culture in the 21st century.

This film will likely find its audience and be enjoyed by fans of documentaries, as well as members of the LGBT+ community, and those with an interest in human stories, and more broadly in culture and the arts.