The Spirit of Notting Hill Carnival
Are you getting ready for carnival this weekend?
Have a watch of these amazing short films to get you in the spirit.
A Short History of Notting Hill Carnival (2017)
Notting Hill Carnival has been blessing West London streets since '66. Here's a brief history of Europe's biggest and best street party.
Director
Genre
Animated Documentary
GROVE CARNIVAL (1981)
This gorgeous restored footage of the 1980 Carnival and released a year later shows sound systems, costumes and big smiles.
Director
Henry Martin and Steve Shaw
Genre
Film Link:
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-grove-carnival-1981-online
Our Carnival - AMD Presents… (2017)
This interview featurette hosted by Anna-Marie Descartes delves into how the younger generation connect with carnival.
Director: Anna-Marie Descartes
Genre: Documentary
Mas (2020)
The history and cultural significance of Mas bands are deep rooted in Black expression, Black love and Black music. The film aims to pay homage to the culture’s rich history and spotlights the nuanced narratives of Mas bands and the cultural, social and political importance this yearly event has to them, as well as the wider community of London.
Many origins of Mas bands are born out of activism and to create safe spaces for the Black community. We explore the founding stories of Mangrove Mas & Steel, who were born out of the Mangrove Community and are well-known for the Mangrove 9 trial, which uncovered the first proof of institutionalized racism within the London Met. Throughout the film, we also explore the intricacies of each element of a Mas band, for example by looking at the micro-themes around costumes and how this physical representation of the band helps keep their legacy alive.
The documentary also features an exclusive poem written and spoken by Kai Isaiah Jamal, meant to accentuate and compliment the expressive and artistic nature of Mas bands and their history with Carnival.
The film features key figures from Mas Bands; GEMZ, Hotwax, Soca Saga Boys and Mangrove Mas & Steel Band.
Director
Daniel Amoakoh
Production Company
Trippin
Genre
Carni 'Come See Culture' (2022)
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual Caribbean festival event that has taken place in London since 1966 on the streets of the Notting Hill area of Kensington, each August over two days (the August bank holiday Monday and the preceding Sunday).
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the event to be put on hold in 2020 and 2021 and now Notting Hill Carnival has returned to west London's streets for the first time since 2019.
Director:
ShotbyJov // Jovan Lee
Genre