Original subtitles

This programme contains some strong language.

In 1948, the Empire Windrush docked in London,

bringing over 800 passengers from Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Among them were two people who were yet to meet and fall in love.

These people are my grandparents.

This is their story.

My film, Jamaica Road, is not just a story about immigrants.

Hey, are those my shoes, bruv?

It's a story about young people.

It's a story about marriage.

It's a story about black love.

It's a story about a working-class couple.

We were kind of poor. Uncle, can you just watch the video?

I'll watch the film, man.

Anything you donate will go a long way in helping us achieve

our target of £5,000.

£5,000!

Oh, so wait a minute. Hold on there, sir.

So you leave a job so you can beg people for money.

You should have been saving when you was in recruitment.

That's right. Excuse me, Polly.

He did save... He didn't save money.

Well, regardless, he needs help from his family now.

But I suppose if you're not really blood family you don't have to

put it in your pocket if you don't want to.

Coffee fresh.

How do I donate, Kwabena?

You just have to type in how much you want, Auntie.

Thank you. Right there.

So generous.

Wha...? Wait. Thank you so much, Auntie! Woop, woop!

Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

500, £500?

What? Wait. What?

£500. No, no, no, no, no.

No? Five? Uh-huh.

Here's Mrs Bolivar de Pedro.

She's from my aunt's prayer group.

Right. Well, she's just donated £4.73.

HE SIGHS

Bruv, that's all my people donated. Mine too.

And we've still got 4K to go.

Question - what about your company?

Don't they have funding opportunities?

They do. But you didn't come to the meeting, did you?

We need bigger donors.

PHONE PINGS

Hey you, I know we're meant to meet for our date on Friday.

But I am home and I want to know what you're doing.

Do you want to meet up or...?

Oh...

Hey, I'm actually working tonight, but... Ah!

Yeah, I have an edit that's due tomorrow,

but I'll make it up to you, though, I promise.

Shit.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Delivery.

Lewis. What's up, bruv?

No, it's Kwabena, man, from recruitment.

Where's O? He usually delivers our stuff.

I mean, I've got your stuff right here, so...

Got any mushrooms?

No. No mushrooms, you know.

What about Black Dragon?

Bro, I only deliver what you order.

What kind of drug dealer only carries weed, man?

You ordered a pizza, right?

Oh. Not...

No. You just really look like... No, forget that.

You just... Sorry, man. It's a genuine mistake.

I'm... Yeah. I'm...I'm not.

I'm not racist.

Yeah, bro. I love Black Panther.

Are you O?

No, I'm Fairy Godmother.

What do you think, bruv?

Oh, mad.

Yo.

And before you ask, yes, I filled up the tank.

HE SIGHS

HE GROANS

Yo.

What, man?

This book says if the baby was conceived with an STI,

it can cause an infection in the womb that kills the baby

and the mother.

I haven't been checked since uni, man. Brudda!

But surely you'd know if you'd had it.

How do you know?

Isn't chlamydia invisible?

Brudda, how do you lecture?

I need to book an appointment, man.

Hopefully I can keep Funmi from all of this until I get the results.

Results for what, baby?

Um, hey, baby.

Good?

Erm, the results for Kwabena's fundraiser, right?

Yeah, actually, yeah.

We need bigger donors, man.

Oh. Speaking of which, I was going to talk to you, actually. OK.

Do you know my Auntie Lola?

The rich one from the wedding?

She's turning 60 and having, like, this big celebration and is looking

for a videographer.

So I thought I'd ask to see if you're...

To see if you were up for it.

Yeah, of course.

We need the money, so, yeah.

Just to warn you, though, she can be a bit...

..well, eccentric. Batshit.

Funmi, if it's money, I'll take it.

All right.

OK. Yes.

PHONE CHIMES

HE LAUGHS

Kwabena?

Hey, William.

Yeah. How's it been going, man?

Good, man. I haven't seen you in a minute.

I know. I'm good, man. I just picture locked

on my first feature.

Swear down?

Yeah. Congrats, bro.

That's big. Thank you. Thank you so much, man.

Yeah, I'm grateful.

Yeah. How about you?

Did you quit?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Yo, I'm actually working on a short film at the moment,

if you want to donate. OK. Right.

William, I wondered where you were.

Hey. Coming.

Kwabena, this is Danny, one of my execs.

Pleasure to meet you.

Oh, hey, did you just bring the Wagamama's order?

Yeah. Oh, great.

Because you brought me a Fanta Orange,

but I actually ordered a Fanta Lemon.

Um, yeah. Right.

So?

So I just... I don't suppose you could swap it

to the correct order at all.

Actually, Danny, that's not Kwabena's job, so...

But could you call someone and arrange it or...?

Thanks so much.

Erm, I'm just off for a wee-wee. I'll see you up there. Sure.

Bro, I'm sorry about that.

Yeah. No, it's OK.

Look, listen, if you want to send me your script, I can have a read

and see if I can help.

Yeah? Oh, yo, I'd appreciate that, man, safe.

Conditioning, man. I'm so sorry. Love, bro. Safe.

Yo, you know my man ain't getting this Fanta, right?

Oh, that's fine.

Here we go, my dear.

Thank you, Auntie. You're welcome.

You have a lovely house.

Thank you.

My husband built it with his very own hands, you know. Yeah?

He came to England in 1953.

Same years as the Queen's coronation.

Only for 20 years later, we are posing with her.

See, see, see.

See.

Said it was the greatest honour of his life, meeting her.

Until what she did to dearest Diana. Oh...

Erm, I'm not sure that's proven, Auntie.

Small boy, what do you know?

You are too young to know these things. I was there.

Anyway, Funmi said you are begging money.

Ah, yeah. Well, I'm raising money for my film.

Wonderful. What is it about?

Yeah, well, it's about...

Ah, ah, ah, ah! Oh, sorry.

Yeah. So it's a love story set in the Windrush era.

Are there Nigerian characters?

Yeah. Because we were here also.

Yeah.

I'm having my 60th birthday party.

Call it my diamond jubilee, and I'm looking for someone

good to help me film it.

Is this something you can do?

Absolutely.

I've filmed loads of events before. They're fairly simple.

I don't want simple though. I want spectacular!

I see.

Well, my producer, she works at a company and they have access

to loads of equipment.

All right, let me see. Let me see.

Show me what you can do.

Yeah.

Yeah. Let me see.

Sit down. Sorry.

Your producer or you did this?

Yeah, I can do that.

Great!

This is what I want for my party.

OK.

I love this moving shot. Ah!

Oh, the Steadicam.

Yes!

Imagine me entering on your Steadicam.

Entering the hall like this.

# Ah, ma, bah, bah

# Say what, say what

# Let me check. #

Hey, hey!

It will be great. Let's do that.

How much more do you need?

Um, 4,000.

I thought all this movie shot would be more expensive.

Do my video and I will pay for your film.

Thank you.

SHE LAUGHS

Now tell me more about this Nigerian character.

Hey, Amy. I think I might have the funding, yeah.

But I'm going to need a big favour, fam.

Oh, Amy.

Oh, wonderful. Life-saver.

Caffeine injected.

Um, Howard.

I just wanted to ask about the AP vacancy.

Is it still open?

Er, yeah.

Good.

Oh, er, take a seat.

So you're thinking of applying?

Yeah. I was an AP for three years in Lagos.

Ah, Nigeria. I love Nigeria.

Have you been?

No. There's a great Nigerian restaurant near where I live

and they do a fantastic E-wa-a-go-yin.

It's sick. Yeah.

So as I was saying, I was in AP for three years there.

Mm.

You know, I was talking to a friend of mine who happens to be black,

and he said that proportional representation

is the key to success.

And he convinced me that...

..we could really do with somebody like you in a senior position.

Someone like me, as in...?

Oh, no, I'm not saying about skin colour.

I'm talking about diversity of experience.

Because, you know what?

After all, there's only one race - the human race.

Look, leave it with me, and I will personally

put your name forward.

I would really appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you so much.

I appreciate you.

Could you get me another coffee, please?

Yes, I can.

Thank you. Keep it coming.

OK. So, my question. Mm-hm.

What's your favourite film?

Nuh-uh. What?

No. That's the lightest question ever.

No, you're a film guy.

OK, that feels like a trap, actually.

You seem like a film snob, and I don't want to be judged, so...

I promise I won't judge you.

I'm going to need some assurances.

OK.

This is one of my most prized possessions.

I got it from my dad in Zimbabwe.

It's really beautiful.

Hey, don't change the subject.

OK.

Love & Basketball.

Love & Basketball is really...

..shit. Are you actually OK? What?

Imagine, yeah, someone asked you to sacrifice your dream

because, what, they found out their dad cheated?

Maybe you should question why you, a black man, seem to be shitting on

a film that lots of black women love.

I love bare films black women love. Really?

It's just, look, this film, it's dead.

You're dead, actually.

You're dead.

And, erm...

..I guess this is staying with me, then.

Well, if I could...

Ooh, oh.

Listen... Look.

SHE LAUGHS

# Can you focus on me?

# Focus on me. #

Kwabs, you home?

Yeah.

Wow. I thought you would be out with the ting, man.

No, fam.

That is a shame, bruv, because I know you were feeling that back.

Woo!

I bet you were hoping to smash toni...

Hi, Maurice. It's nice to meet you.

Vanessa.

This is for you.

I'm going to go.

Erm, it's getting late.

I should probably head off.

It was really nice to meet you, Maurice.

Get home safely.

Thanks. Bye.

No.

Yo, this ain't working.

Kwabs, we've practised enough times. Honestly, it's fine.

Look, we need to get this right.

I promised Auntie Lola a moving shot.

Yeah. All right. Well, where's the rest of the equipment?

Maurice is supposed to be bringing it.

Well, he better because it was not easy getting that stuff for free.

Yo. Yo, what you saying? Man of the hour.

That is for you.

That's a list of everyone in the party that

you need to get a good shot of.

This is mad. This is so mad. This is crazy.

Yeah. Where's the equipment?

Don't say what I think you're going to say.

Bro. Look, I'm so sorry. Funmi's mum had me carrying bare stuff,

man, it must have slipped my mind.

Bruv, that's everything we need! Then why you never bring it yourself?

Er, hello! Let's not forget where we are, OK?

We'll sort this.

Kwabs, you can drive the car, right?

Yeah. All right, so we'll pick up the equipment ourselves.

Maurice, if you just give us the keys.

I didn't bring my car.

Wow. Kwabena.

Did you get the names?

Yes, Auntie.

Please make sure you get all of them.

And the prayers.

Especially my entrance.

That's your moving shot.

Make sure it's done in, like, slow motion.

Auntie, we have that all on the sheet. Don't worry.

And who are you?

Are you the cameraman?

Are you the one who knows this fancy stuff?

Please.

Are you sure this jagga jagga camera can do all of this, Kwabena?

Yes, Auntie. OK, oh.

Get up!

What are you doing?

What? I'm showing respect.

Respect? That is not how to prostrate.

I have told you, baby.

But on YouTube it says that's how you show respect to elders.

YouTube?

Please, just take me to the toilet.

Come and lift my dress. All right.

What are we going to do now?

Look at all the names on this list.

The names? Yeah.

How are we going to get this moving shot?

We don't even have a Steadicam. I don't know.

Hey, Uncle, everyone's filing through this way.

So if you want to come through.

What?

Big K in the cot!

Yo, safe! I haven't seen you in a minute, fam.

Obviously because man's in the studio, innit?

Yeah? This music ting's about to fucking blow up, you know.

Oi. Language! Sorry, Mummy. Auntie. Mm-hm, Kwabena.

You turned big man, pardon me.

No, no. How are you doing, darling?

I'm good. I'm good. How's it being back?

Everything's good, fam. Kwabs!

You need to record the guests.

Sorry. Sorry.

You know, Ghanaian jollof is better than this. Mind your mouth, Freddy.

I was just saying... Ah, go on and get your Ghanaian jollof rice then.

SPEAKING YORUBA

Mummy, it's OK. Let us all rise up on our feet.

The time we all have been waiting for has come.

Our celebrant...

CROWD CHEERS

..the woman of the hour...

CROWD CHEERS

...our big mummy.

CROWD CHEERS

A personal friend of our late Majesty the Queen.

CROWD CHEERS

Give it up to Auntie Lola.

It's that the camera boy on my wheelchair?

# Kosi oba bire

# Kosi baba bire

# Ko ma s'oilorun bire

# Igwe. #

Did you finish the edit on time?

Yeah. I'm on my way to Auntie Lola's now for the screening.

Amy, the film, not going to lie, it's crazy. Ha!

So we're going to make Jamaica Road?

Hello again, everyone.

Eku ijoko.

Thank you for coming!

Hey, as you know, we are gathered here this evening to watch

the wonderful video that our son-in-law has produced

with his Rasta cousin.

Let's hope he has done a great job, oh!

So nice.

Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKING YORUBA

PHONE CHIMES

Oh, I like that.

Exactly!

Hey, cuz, this is...

PHONE CHIMES

Hey, look at me going low!

AUNTIE LAUGHS

Hey, you can see me dancing.

It looks... I love it.

Auntie you look BAD you know! What?

PHONE CHIMES

You're killing it!

Ay!

We have to get it correct now, eh?

I know.

Oh. Is that it?

Where's the rest of it now?

Where is the light prayer?

Hey, well, that can be all with only five minutes' video.

Or the pastor's pitch.

Where is the plantain I cooked?

Sweet, sweet. Golden brown.

Is that it?

It has to be long! Where is the pastor's preaching?

THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE

I've a good mind not to pay you for this.

Auntie, now. Please just pay him for his time at least.

OK. Because I'm a good Christian woman.

E se. Ese gan.

That's £200.

You are welcome.

I'm sorry.

Look, I'll chat to her tomorrow.

Yeah, it's all right.

Ran into a guy from film school recently, and he's just wrapping

his first feature film.

And I can't even make a birthday video.

Look, you know.

What you did was great.

But why are you worrying about somebody from school anyway?

Worry about yourself.

You did good, man. You never know what's around the corner.

I'm proud of you.

Thank you.

Where can you find a coffee in this place, huh?

Oh, well, I've just made one so you can have mine.

There's no sugar or anything. I'll just make another one.

Thank you.

Oh, I love your hair.

Oh, thank you.

You look like a Powerpuff Girl.

Is it real?

SHE LAUGHS

Yes.

Yes, it's all mine. Yeah.

I meant that in...in a good way, about the Powerpuff Girl.

I'm sorry. I'm.... It's my first day, so I'm a bit nervous.

Don't worry about it. I've been called worse.

Oh, God, yeah. Tell me about it.

I mean, at school I had alopecia and everyone called me Uncle Fester.

I'm Susie, by the way.

Hey, Susie.

I am the new AP.

The new AP? Yeah.

Congratulations.

That's amazing.

Oh, thank you.

What was your name, sorry?

Amy. Sorry. Amy.

Oh, you're Amy?

Yeah. Yeah. Oh!

Nice to finally meet you. Yeah, you too.

Guess we'll be spending a lot of time together. Guess we will.

Thanks again for this. No worries.

Fuck.

PHONE CHIMES

Hey, hon. We're just heading out now, so Maurice

shouldn't interrupt your date again.

And make sure you're not beating on the couch, bruv.

That's mine and Funmi's spot, banjo.

THEY LAUGH

This guy. Do what you want, don't mind him. No, not there.

Not the couch. Why not the couch?

Just trust me.

OK.

Nearly there. All right. We're coming up to the carpet.

Mm-hm. OK?

Yes. Open.

Oh, my God.

So we have one game,

one-on-one.

Best of three.

That's a nice jersey.

Thank you.

What we playing for?

Your heart. You're stupid. Let's go.

HE LAUGHS

So dumb.

Cool. Winner chooses Tokyo Story or Love & Basketball.

I, as the winner, can't wait to watch Love & Basketball.

Wow. Mm-hm.

Ooh.

Ah, woo! OK.

Vessie has skill, yeah.

Uh-huh. Well, firstly, only my dad calls me Vessie.

And, yes, I played netball until sixth form.

OK.

All right, all right. Let's see what's up.

Let's go, let's go, let's see. Let's see.

Oh!

Wow.

Look at that.

Just take the last one, you know, for good measure. Good measure.

Go on.

Double or nothing?

Hm?

PHONE VIBRATES

Hello?

Hey, Kwabena.

Who's this?

It's William, man.

Is now a bad time?

No. Just didn't expect to hear from you.

So I read your script. It's seriously good, man.

You know, if it wasn't yours, I'd be putting myself forward

for it, you know?

Thank you, man. I really appreciate that.

Yeah, no worries.

And I'm sorry about that Fanta thing the other day, yeah?

But you said you were looking for funding, right?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

So hear this, yeah.

I'm on the panel for this new development scheme.

I can make sure your application gets a chance.

Oh, thank you. That's great. Thank you.

Oh!

Kwabena, are you still there?

Hello?

Yo, did you hear what I said?

Yeah, yeah, man. I'd really appreciate it.

No worries, man.

I'll get my assistant to send over a form. All right?

Thank you so much, man. OK, er...

Cool, cool. Yeah, man.

Speak soon. Yeah, man. All right, cool. Cheers.

Love, love, love.

Hey. Hey.

Yo, Kwabs. I don't have chlamydia!

Hi, Maurice.

# Bad, it's getting bad

# It's getting bad

# It's getting bad

# It's getting bad

# Mad, I'm getting mad

# I'm getting mad

# I'm getting mad

# I'm getting mad

# Bad, it's getting bad

# It's getting bad

# It's getting bad

# It's getting bad

# Mad, I'm getting mad

# I'm getting mad

# I'm getting mad

# I'm getting mad

# I'm getting madder than madder than madder than them... #