Babylon

Name: Babylon
Genre: Drama
Released: March 8, 2019
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Ann Duncan, Archie Pool, Beverley Dublin, Beverley Michaels, Brian Bovell

2019

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Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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Babylon

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Movie Details & Credits

Kino Lorber | Release Date: March 8, 2019 | Not Rated

Starring: Ann Duncan, Archie Pool, Beverley Dublin, Beverley Michaels, Brian Bovell, Brinsley Forde, David N. Haynes, Karl Howman, Trevor Laird, Victor Romero Evans

Summary: Never-before released in North America, Franco Rosso's incendiary Babylon had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but was banned from the New York Film Festival that same year for "being too controversial, and likely to incite racial tension" (Vivien Goldman, Time Out). Raw and smoldering, it follows a young dancehall DJ (Brinsley Forde,Never-before released in North America, Franco Rosso's incendiary Babylon had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but was banned from the New York Film Festival that same year for "being too controversial, and likely to incite racial tension" (Vivien Goldman, Time Out). Raw and smoldering, it follows a young dancehall DJ (Brinsley Forde, frontman of landmark British reggae group Aswad) in South London as he pursues his musical ambitions, battling fiercely against the racism and xenophobia of employers, neighbors, police, and the National Front. Written by Martin Stellman (Quadrophenia) and shot by two-time Oscar® winner Chris Menges (The Killing Fields) with beautifully smoky cinematography that has been compared to Taxi Driver, Babylon is fearless and unsentimental, yet tempered by the hazy bliss of the dancehall set to a blistering reggae and lovers rock soundtrack featuring Aswad, Johnny Clarke, Dennis Bovell, and more. [Kino Lorber]… Expand

Director: Franco Rosso

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

Mar 5, 2019

Like the reggae music that pulses through it, Babylon is rich, rough and real. And like the streetlife of the young black Londoners it portrays, it’s threatening, touching, violent and funny. This one seems to explode in the gut with a powerful mix of pain and pleasure. Read full review

John DeFore

Mar 6, 2019

An English cousin to the earlier Jamaica-set films "The Harder They Come" and "Rockers" that is vastly superior in cinematic terms and just as valuable as a cultural document. Read full review

Wesley Morris

Mar 9, 2019

All of that observation in Babylon amounts to something that still feels new. You’re looking at people who, in 1980 England, were, at last, being properly, seriously seen. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Mar 5, 2019

Although the script runs out of steam by the end, the sharp use of location, the meticulous detailing of black culture, the uniformly excellent performances and stimulating soundtrack command attention. Read full review

Richard Whittaker

Apr 3, 2019

Babylon's cultural specificity is what gives it power, putting it as much in a tradition of British alienated youth movies like Brighton Rock and Quadrophenia (not coincidentally written by Babylon scriptwriter Martin Stellman). Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 5, 2019

Babylon brims over with life in ways that few films of recent vintage could manage, a movie-moment that remembers when “One Love” was enough to end any argument and calm any troubled waters. Read full review

The Playlist Jonathan Christian

Mar 7, 2019

In short, Babylon is bland and sadly, should be much better. Read full review

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