John Akomfrah's 1986 film 'Handsworth Songs' resurfaces online amid renewed anti-racism protests

John Akomfrah's 1986 documentary 'Handsworth Songs,' originally commissioned by Channel 4, examines the Handsworth Riots in Birmingham through interviews and archival footage. The film explores systemic racism, police violence, and political rhetoric during Margaret Thatcher's government. It features perspectives from Black and Asian communities, including references to Enoch Powell, Malcolm X, and police actions under Home Secretary Douglas Hurd. In September 2011, Tate Modern screened the film following protests after Mark Duggan's killing. Lisson Gallery recently made it available online for a week, coinciding with global Black Lives Matter demonstrations sparked by George Floyd's death. The film's themes remain relevant, with politicians like Boris Johnson and Priti Patel criticizing recent protests. Akomfrah participated in a Zoom discussion this week, echoing past conversations with collaborators Lina Gopaul, David Lawson, and academic Kodwo Eshun. The work contrasts British and American racism, noting how colonial history shapes current tensions. It includes voices like comedian Lenny Henry and references deaths such as Cherry Groce and Cynthia Jarrett. Critic Mark Fisher observed the film's eerie timeliness in 2011, while Gary Younge has warned against overlooking Europe's own racist legacies. The film's re-release underscores unresolved historical injustices, from the Windrush generation to contemporary police harassment.