Original subtitles

♪slow pop music plays

[driver] Not long until you get the sack.

Huh?

I said not long until we get to set!

-Oh! -[driver] Uh-hmm.

How are you feeling for your first day, my friend?

Yeah. I, I--I'm a bit nervous, but I'm prepped.

No. No. Enjoy it, man.

I've been driving 20 years.

Never have I seen a Black man directing before.

[chuckles]

You're the boss, man.

Hmm, hmm, hmm.

You're doing this for the culture!

Yeah.

So don't mess up.

If you fail, you fail us all.

[singer] ♪ Bring down my mood, don't bother♪

[singers] ♪ Don't bother♪

[singer] ♪ I'm high up♪

♪ I got problems♪

♪ I got gratitude, I'm winning ♪

♪ I'm winning♪

♪ I'm high up♪

-[Bridgette] Kwabena! -Hey.

-How are you? -Good. Yeah.

I'm just gonna get some breakfast

-and-- -Yeah. No time, I'm afraid.

-Shit's already hit the fan. -Okay.

-Lisa the AD's got monkeypox. -Huh?

So Alexandros is her last-minute replacement.

He's gonna need you to approve these sides ASAP.

-Okay. -And Roxie's car is late,

so you won't have any time in rehearsal.

-Okay. Cool. -And don't fuck this today.

Whoa. I'm sorry, what?

You've got this today.

Kwabena!

-My man. -How are you doing?

How are you doing? I saw your shot list.

-Can't wait to see the results. -Yeah.

Now, listen, you know, first days can always be

-a bit intense... -Okay.

...so, you know, anything you want, you come to me.

All right? I'm your-- I'm your sword and shield,

-okay? -Thank you, Simon.

Now I will have to step away for a few hours.

I got a meeting with the divorce lawyer.

The ex is making a power play for the Tesla,

and she doesn't even have a charging station.

But, um, but don't worry. All right?

-I've got your back. -Okay.

-Okay? Let's do it. -Thank you. Great.

[Angela] Hi, Amy, I'm Angela,

the Managing Director here.

-So nice to meet you. -You, too. You, too.

-So sorry for the mess. -Uh-uh.

As you can see, we're still

in the process of moving in.

No worries.

I was admiring your Burning an Illusionposter.

I have the exact same one in my bedroom.

-Oh, really? -Uh-hmm.

We're actually developing a TV spin-off at the moment.

-Are you being serious? -Uh-hmm.

Okay. Even if I don't get this job,

please make that happen.

That would be iconic.

And if you did get it,

how would you approach the adaptation?

Um, I guess I would...

dig into Cynthia's backstory more.

Sometimes she comes across as this helpless victim.

I've always been curious as to why

she does the things that she does

and makes those decisions even when they're bad ones.

I completely agree.

So, why did you apply for the job?

So we're just gonna take you to Rudolph's trailer now.

Yeah.

-You all right? -Yeah.

Hey, you all right?

I'm Kwabena, by the way. I'm directing.

And just around here.

Here? Thank you. Thank you.

No worries.

♪dramatic music plays

[Rudolph] Come.

Hi, Rudolph. I'm Kwabena, the Director.

Kwabena. [laughs]

-Pleasure. -It is an honour

to be working with you, truly.

Me and my mum used to watch you every week on Eastenders.

To be honest, I think she had a crush on you. [laughs]

Remind me at wrap, and I'll sign something for her.

She would love that.

[laughs] Like, honestly.

So I hear it's your first TV job?

Yeah. It is. It is.

But I think we can make something special

and I am ready.

No, no. I, I believe you.

It's just so good to see a young brother like you

in this position.

-Thank you. -Don't forget,

this is your set.

So you hold your ground today.

Trust your instincts.

Thank you, Rudolph. I will.

And look, I want this

to be your best screen performance yet,

so before we start today I was wondering,

do you have any questions for me?

Um, yeah.

I, I did have some thoughts about Roxie.

-Last I heard... -Ooh.

...Adjoa Ashante was playing Lady Bantam?

Yeah. I really pushed for her,

but we just couldn't make it work, sadly.

It's a pity.

She's such a great talent.

She is. She is.

But I do think

Roxie can bring something...

-magical to the project. -Yeah?

Yeah. The producers love her and--

-[soft knocking] -Come.

-Hey. -Hiya!

-Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt. -No, no, no.

Perfect timing. Please join us.

-Hi. -I'm Kwabena, the director.

-Pleasure to meet you. -Pleasure to meet you.

Rudolph, this is Roxie, our Lady Bantam.

-Pleasure to meet you, my dear. -[chuckles]

Kwabena was just waxing lyrical about your latest work.

-Really? -Uh-hmm.

You watched Love Island?

Yeah.

Your agent said you were working on other projects, right?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

I mean, mainly presenting stuff.

This is my first acting job.

So I've been reading Stanislavski

to prepare myself.

"Love art in yourself,

not yourself in art."

So clever.

-Wow. [chuckles] -Uh-huh.

You, you, you must have some agent.

Took me 15 years to get my first lead role.

Oh. I can introduce you to her if you like.

She got me VIP Ice Spice tickets.

You should come.

[laughs]

What's an Ice Spice?

Uh...

Oh, Mrs Mitchell.

Oh, hi, Ms Carol. Are you okay?

-I'm glad I've caught you. -Uh-hmm.

I've just been informed that there was an incident

between Mayowa and another little boy yesterday.

An incident?

Have you got a moment to pop into my office?

-Yeah. -Right. Right.

Through here.

♪

Kwabena, we need to speed it up, buttercup.

-Time is ticking. -Okay. Cool.

Can we get the SAs in, please?

Thank you.

Lewis.

Hey, man. How's it--how's it going?

Good. Good. Look, I'm directing TV now.

Amazing. You should be proud.

-[Bridgette] Kwabena! -Thank you.

We need to get things moving.

Sorry. Uh, look, it was great to see you, man.

We'll catch up later, yeah?

Yeah. Absolutely, brother.

-Do you know the Director? -No.

Seems nice, though.

-Rudolph, welcome to the set. -Thank you.

We're gonna get a single on Roxie first,

and then we'll come round and get your single afterwards.

-Right. -Right.

And we are-- we're nearly ready to go,

and I'd love to go straight for a take,

-if that's okay. -Yeah. That, that--that's fine.

Before we do, who are all these people?

Um, yeah.

They're supposed to be our ancestors.

Yeah.

And this?

This is my ancestors too?

Um, we'll get rid of that. Actually, even burn it.

Now, can we get rid of this one, please?

Thank you. Um, yes.

So first positions, okay? Thank you.

[Bridgette] Ready to go now?

Yeah, we're good. All good, all good,

-all good, all good. -[clears throat]

All right. Yeah, yeah, let's go.

Okay. We're going for a take.

Quiet. Roll sound.

Roll camera.

-And action! -Action!

Normally, the first AD says action.

Okay. Um, in this instance, could I say it?

-Sure. -Cool.

Roll sound.

Camera.

And action!

♪lovely music plays

You must be strong,

for nobody can ever know the pain you're carrying.

But Lord Yarderton,

my heart is broken into a thousand pieces.

Uh, cut.

-Um... -Happy to move on?

-Wait. Wait a second. -Maybe you should go

-and have a word. -Okay. Give me a moment.

-Roxie, it was great. -Oh, really? Oh, thank you.

[Kwabena] We are gonna go again.

-[Roxie] Okay. -Yeah? But this time,

you know what? I just--

yeah, just, just relax.

I know. Yeah. Sorry.

I was just-- I was feeling a bit nervous,

and, um, like, I'm used to looking into the camera so--

[Kwabena] Oh, yeah. Don't worry. Don't worry.

Obviously, that's why I'm here.

But on this take,

yeah, just forget about your lines, right?

And just really listen to what Rudolph is saying.

You're doing great, my dear.

Oh, wow.

[Kwabena] Yeah? Great. Thank you.

-Right. We're gonna go again. -Okay.

-Reset please, quickly! -Is she okay?

Yeah. She's just a bit nervous.

Yeah. Understandable.

But it's crucial this performance is good.

And we can't afford to fall behind.

[Kwabena] Yeah. Right. And action.

♪lovely music plays

You must be strong,

for no one can ever know the pain you carry.

But Lord Yarderton,

my heart is broken into a thousand pieces.

Uh, cut. Can, can we just try one more time, please?

But Lord Yarderton.

But Lord Yarderton.

But Lord Yarderton.

Remember that you're, you know, you're in love.

Aw.

Then should we kiss?

-Yeah. We're not gonna kiss. -But Lord Yarderton.

My heart is broken.

Into a thousand pieces.

-My heart has been broken. -Kwabena, we have to move on.

-We're falling behind. -[Roxie] But Lord Yarderton,

my heart is broken into a thousand pieces.

-Uh, cut. Cut. -Line.

[Kwabena] Cut right there. Thank you.

Thank you so much. That's enough.

We can--we'll move on from this and go on to Rudolph's scene.

No, no, no, no. We have no time.

We have to move on to the next scene.

-Why? -I'm under strict instruction

that we cannot go over today.

[sighs]

-Where's Simon? -Still getting divorced.

Alexandros is right, we just--

it's best to make the day.

And you have him in the two shot.

It's your call, but I would move on.

All right. We're moving on to the next scene.

No, no, no. Wait. No, no, no. Kwabs. Kwabs. Kwabs.

[chuckles]

You will not be getting my single?

Oh. I don't think we need it, you know?

There was a really nice balance between you two

-in the two shot. -Yeah. Well,

I was saving my performance for the single.

Your performance was great, honestly.

Okay. Um, look, in the next scene,

I promise I'll do your single first.

Is that okay?

Uh, very well.

Thank you.

Actors, they're so dramatic.

[breathes deeply]

[exhales sharply]

-Where is he? -He's with his key worker.

Nah, the yute that hit him is dead.

I'm gonna bang him up.

I'm telling you now, baby... [chuckles]

whoever hit our child is going to feel it.

I don't even care if it's that kid with the eye patch.

No, babe. We gotta get this at the source.

If these White kids think they can hit our baby,

that means they're learning that shit from the parents.

That's right.

It's her kid.

[Maurice] Look at him and his little Hitler haircut.

-Ooh. -Oh, yeah.

Nah, it's on sight now.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. None of that posh shit, yeah?

We're gonna handle things like we would on ends.

-You get it? -Sorry to keep you waiting,

Mr and Mrs Mitchell.

Um, thank you. Please take a seat.

So as you're aware,

there was an incident with Mayowa and Isaac.

Uh-hmm. Yeah. So what I wanna know

is why you didn't say anything

yesterday when I picked him up,

and, and why was no one supervising my son?

I can assure you we're doing everything

that we promised to do.

Well, clearly, it's not enough, is it?

Right. Um, I've spoken with Isaac's parents,

and they're very upset as well.

[scoffs] She's upset?

Baby, you see how to teach them White tears from young?

-[chuckles] -Or you can tell her

that if Aryan Isaac hits my son again,

Mayowa will be hitting back.

-[Carol] Hitting back? -[Maurice] Yes.

No, sorry, there's been a misunderstanding.

Mayowa is-- he's the one who hit Isaac.

[both] Ohh.

Yeah.

[clears throat]

So, Carol, how do we move forward from this?

♪quirky music plays

[Bridgette] You've got time to be doing that?

Oh, uh, no, sorry.

I was just prepping. Yeah.

I need to step off for a couple of hours.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

But keep an eye on Roxie.

It's imperative we keep the schedule.

Okay.

I told them to start with Roxie first.

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

We have to start with Rudolph first,

and we didn't get his shot last time.

Okay. I really think that we should start with Roxie.

She needs more time, a lot more time.

You need to make a decision quickly.

Fine. At least let me tell Rudolph.

Okay. Okay.

[Roxie whimpering]

What? Roxie, are you okay?

Sorry, I'll be fine.

I really didn't wanna bring this to work,

but I'm, I'm going through a break up at the moment.

No, no, no, don't apologise.

Look, I'm going through something similar.

I mean, well, we broke up some time ago,

but, you know, it's still hard sometimes.

Break ups are so shit, aren't they?

[chuckles softly] Yeah.

Do you mind me asking what happened?

He had a threesome with my best mate on live TV.

Oh.

[Rudolph] Kwabena, will we be getting back

to shooting anytime soon?

Give me a moment. [clears throat]

Erm, I'm so sorry to do this, Rudolph,

but we're going to start with Roxie's single.

Look, we'll get your single, I promise.

But it's just that I know you'll hit the mark

straight away, right?

Look, I just wanna spend some time

to get Roxie up to speed.

Then you can save your performance

for that pivotal speech.

[Alexandros] Kwabena, time is money, tick-tock.

[Roxie] What about Tik-Tok?

Please.

Sure.

If that's what you think is best.

Thank you, Rudolph.

Roxie, look, everything we just spoke about,

I want you to use it, right?

Think Stanislavski, lean into your reality.

Like just imagine you're telling your ex everything

you felt through these words.

Yeah? All right. Great. Thank you.

All right. We're going for a take everyone.

[Alexandros] Camera rolling.

-Sound... -[woman] Take one.

And action.

You say love cannot die,

and maybe you're right.

I pray your heart stays as strong as your sword,

and your soul is untouched by the things it will endure.

But most of all...

I pray you come back to me.

And cut. [claps]

That was perfect.

Roxie, oh, my God.

You're amazing. Are you all right?

Oh, oh, okay.

Yeah, we can hug. We can hug.

All right. Just, just relax, okay?

Take a moment, okay?

-Thank you. You did great. -Is that good?

You did so great.

All right. Can we get playback, please?

Good, innit?

Cue the playback.

You say love cannot die,

and maybe you're right.

It is the only explanation as to why I'm here.

[Kwabena] But why must you plague my mind, Lady V?

Your thoughts are your own.

If they're occupied with me,

then maybe you're not being truthful.

Tell me, Lord Kwabena,

what is your truth?

If I listen to my heart,

it speaks your name.

Then why must we be parted?

[Dami] Have some self-respect, Lady V.

Is he not a man of waste?

This broketh Black was not only beneath you,

he was also a liar,

posing as a hotshot patron of the arts.

But I am a patron of the arts.

Do not permit him to slither back

into your life like some sordid serpent.

[Lauren] Agreed, my lady.

One doth think he is a pussyclaat.

-Uh-hmm. Indeed. -I should have guessed.

Your haughty maidens, intent on vexing a gentleman

for his noble pursuit of his dreams.

Noble?

[both laughing]

[Dami] You are more of a fool than I thought,

as thick as a yam head from the islands.

-Bomboclaat. -Hmm.

This is between myself and Lady Vanessa.

[Lauren] Very well.

One cannot tolerate this eediat much longer anyhow.

And let us find a more desirable match for Lady V.

One more well-endowed in his wealth.

And his breeches.

Leave us. You will forever be spinsters here.

-My lady... -My Lord,

I just have one more question for you.

Are you happy now?

Well, are you happy now?

[Alexandros] Kwabena?

[chuckles] Are you happy?

-Yeah, yeah, I am. -Hokey cokey.

Okay. Moving onto Rudolph's single, please.

♪

All right.

Why are there stitches in my plaintain, please?

Sutures, not stitches, there's a difference.

Sutures are for cadavers.

English, please.

I'm practicing how to sew up dead bodies.

Why?

Because I'm going back to uni?

-Are you being serious? -Yeah.

What?

-You were right. -Uh-hmm.

I've always wanted to be a doctor,

and I shouldn't let these poshos make me doubt that,

-so fuck them... -Right.

-...and their rowing. -Because you're a?

-Baddie. -Because you're a?

-Baddie. -With your whole chest.

-I'm a baddie. -Fix up!

-Look sharp! -Fix this.

-Oh. -Thank you.

I thought we were gonna have a moment.

-You won't need that. -Okay.

Oh, thank you. Love you.

[phone vibrating]

-Hey? -[Kwabena] Hey,

I'm sorry I missed your call,

but we're on lunch now. You okay?

Um, I was just calling you before

to let you know that I had an interview this morning

for that job that you sent me.

-Oh, yeah? -Yeah.

It took me a while to, you know,

process your dickhead-ness.

But you were right.

Uh, you know what?

I think the service is quite bad.

Could you say that again?

Don't milk it, okay?

-You're still a pagan. -[phone vibrates]

[Amy] So, yeah. One sec.

Uh, I've just got an email from Angela.

-Okay. -[Amy] "Dear Amy,

lovely meeting you today.

I was incredibly impressed by you and...

would love to offer you the role

of Development Exec here at How Far Pictures."

Jeez! Amy una!

-Shit? -[Kwabena] What?

[Amy] With that salary, and my Mum's carer--

Kwabs, it's not enough.

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

Being honest,

I'm a tad relieved, babe.

-You are? -Yes.

Look, babe, I'm not trying to be toxic or nothing,

but I'm kinda glad that Mayowa was the one hitting

instead of being the one getting hit.

Oh, my God. Baby, I'm so glad that you said that.

Now listen, the idea of our baby boy

-being bullied hurts me. -Yes.

Listen, they can put that one down as reparations, innit?

-Our little man is a lion. -Uh-hmm.

Unlike that stupid boy Isaac,

crying every time their mother drops him off.

Acting like some little bitch.

-[laughing] -Little bitch.

-[horn honks] -Biatch.

Oh.

-Oh, my God. It is them. -Baby?

Okay. Drive, drive.

-Aryan Isaac's mum. -Drive, drive.

[singer] ♪ Yeah♪

♪ [indistinct] left my heart and my license...♪

[soft knocking]

-Kwabena... -You're back!

Yeah, sorry about that. [clears throat]

Word of advice, never get married.

It's not worth the divorce. [laughs]

Um, so, can I have a quick, quick, quick word?

Yeah. Please have a seat.

Right. I'm afraid someone has majorly

dropped the ball on this, but Roxie's got to leave now.

-She's leaving? -No, I'm so sorry.

Her agent did email apparently,

but it, it just got lost in translation.

Where is she going?

-Um, a premiere. -A premiere?

Just, just please tell me you got her coverage?

You got her close-ups, right?

Yeah, we did technically.

Thank God. It's one less thing to worry about.

Wait. No, no, no, can you not ask her to stay?

Look, this is a big scene, and she had Rudolph

to perform with her on her takes.

Trust me, I know.

Now someone's head is really gonna roll for this.

No, no. And I'll tell you why.

Because you've been dropped in the shit

and that makes me angry.

[Rudolph] She's leaving for a premiere?

I am so sorry, Rudolph.

So with whom am I supposed to perform this scene?

Well, we've arranged for a stand in,

unless you have another preference.

Sorry, could you--

frankly, I would rather not be relegated

to performing with a marionette at all.

Look, Rudolph, I understand why you're upset,

but you'd be doing me a massive favour.

Kwabs, we are running out of time.

We have to turn over now.

Roll the cameras.

-Thank you. -[Alexandros] We're going

-for the final shot of the day. -[groans]

You get one shot,

and then I have to pull the plug.

Can we please get the stand in?

Okay.

Camera rolling.

Sound.

[Bridgette] Seven take one.

[Kwabena sighs]

And action.

Love cannot be killed or pushed aside.

It is eternal in the heavens, in the stars.

The pain you feel is precisely because of the love you have,

the love we have, so hold onto it,

cherish it,

for grief can only exist where love once lived.

[Kwabena] And cut.

That's a wrap, everyone.

[applauding]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Alexandros] Wonderful.

Okay. Can we pack up and leave quickly please?

Thank you.

Thank you, guys. Thank you.

[phone vibrates]

Rudolph, amazing performance.

Thank you so much for doing that for me.

Just know it's not going to happen again.

No, I understand. I understand.

I know I've made some compromises today

but that's filming, right?

It's not, Kwabena.

You said you wanted this to be my best performance,

but I've heard it before.

I've spent my entire career being given smaller roles

and fewer opportunity than my White counterparts,

and yet still no matter what I achieve,

I'm never afforded the opportunity

to do my best work,

because all the resources have been used

to allow them to thrive.

Rudolph, I didn't realise.

[Rudolph] And that's the problem, Kwabena.

You've drunk the Kool-Aid.

You need to wake up.

Here's the signed headshot for your mum.

[man shouting indistinctly]

♪rap music plays

[singer] ♪ You can go to my side, what?♪

♪ They will have to see me stressing out♪

♪ Bank balance inna di red ya na♪

♪ Dem man love fi see me less ya na♪

♪ Knife bored inna di my chest ya na♪

♪ They would love fi see me dead ya na♪

♪ Gunshot inna mi head ya na♪

♪ But you dun know, Jah had another plan♪

♪ Mi seh God always makes sure mi blessed ya na♪

♪ You know, God always makes sure mi blessed, you know♪

♪ God always makes sure mi blessed, you know♪

♪ You know, God always makes sure mi blessed, you know♪

♪ Mi blessed, mi blessed, mi blessed♪