BABYLON

UK, 1980,  COLOR, DCP, 95’, ENGLISH

Partly based on true events, "Babylon" explores the story of a young DJ through the subculture of soundsystems, sharply contrasted to the grey dawn of the Thatcher administration. Rosso had an authentic depiction in mind, so he didn't settle for a cinematic simulation, but instead went to the impoverished, dangerous South London neighborhoods. Thus, an immeasurably influential film emerged, essential to complete the social mosaic of the British ‘80s, fuelled by the demand for social justice against racism and police brutality. A yeasty musical film that for over 30 years remained banned in the US, as it was felt that its screening was enough to create riots in the stagnant waters of any conservative society.

DIRECTOR: Franco Rosso
SCREENWRITERS: Franco Rosso, Martin Stellman                                                                                          DoP: Chris Menges                                                                                                                                       MUSIC: Dennis Bovell
EDITOR: Thomas Scwalm
PRINCIPAL CAST: Brinsley Forde, Karl Howman, Trevor Laird

FRANCO ROSSO (1941-2016)
Italian director who lived and created mainly in England. Assistant to Ken Loach in “Kes”, he worked in both narrative film and documentary, and his most important contribution was the study of Jamaican culture in London.

FILMOGRAPHY
1988 The Nature of the Beast 
1986 64 Day Hero 
1980 Babylon 
1979 Dread Beat an’Blood