WATCH: Trailer released for ‘Two Black Boys in Paradise’
Ahead of its UK premiere at BFI Flare London: LGBTQIA+ film festival, a trailer has been released for Two Black Boys in Paradise, a new stop-motion animated short directed by Baz Sells and adapted from a poem by award-winning writer Dean Atta.
Written by Sells, Atta and Ben Jackson with narration by Jordan Stephens, Two Black Boys in Paradise produced by Manchester’s One6th Animation Studio with support from the BFI Short Form Animation Fund and early development support from Ian McKellen and Partizan Films.
The film, which “tells the story of Eden (19) and Dula (18) – two black boys on a journey of self-acceptance as their love for each other, and their refusal to hide it, lands them in a paradise free from shame and judgement”, will screen at BFI Flare – Europe’s largest LGBTQIA+ film festival – on Sunday March 23 in the To Your Souls: LGBTQIA+ shorts selection within the Festival’s Hearts strand in BFI Southbank’s NFT1 in London, following a world premiere at Anima Brussels and further screenings at Finland’s Tampere Festival and the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival during the same month.
I’ve known Dean for a while and I’m a fan of his presence, patience and devotion. The piece is gorgeous and I was drawn to the project from the jump, even before I lost myself in the animation. The whole project is an ode to belonging. And how complicated, difficult and messy that journey is. It’s an ode to love. Which is and will always be the greatest anything that life has to offer.
-Jordan Stephens (Narrator, Two Black Boys in Paradise)
This process has been amazing because I didn’t know how an animation was made at all. It’s just mind boggling sometimes to know how many hands have had a part to play in making this happen. I wrote a poem that could be like a film in people’s minds. But we’re not relying on people’s minds in terms of imagining it – we’re going to show it to them now, and that’s really wonderful!
-Dean Atta (Executive Producer and Writer, Two Black Boys in Paradise)
We cannot wait to introduce our film to audiences across Europe and the USA. For years, I wanted to create a film rooted in my personal journey as a gay man. I spent much of my life hiding my sexuality, only coming out at 30, and it took even longer to truly accept myself. But once I did, I started to discover so much more joy in life. That’s what this film is about for me —the joy of self-acceptance and self-love. I hope it resonates with people, offering them warmth, hope, and a sense of belonging.
-Ben Jackson (Producer and Writer, Two Black Boys in Paradise)
I’m profoundly grateful for the chance to visualise this beautiful and bold poem. The production has challenged us as an independent animation studio but we’ve relished the opportunity made possible by the BFI, Dean and our dedicated associates. This film is a celebration of Black and queer identity. It speaks to the transformative power of personal victories for people who are held back – whether by systematic or internal forces – and the overwhelming joy that can be found in self acceptance, personal empowerment and love.
-Baz Sells (Director and Writer, Two Black Boys in Paradise)
When I first saw Two Black Boys in Paradise I was deeply moved by the beautifully tender portrayal of Black queer love and the depiction of the characters’ sensuality and sexuality. It’s been a privilege to be involved with the project and I’m excited for everybody to see it.
-Arun Blair-Mangat (Performer, Two Black Boys in Paradise)
Two Black Boys in Paradise screens at the BFI Flare London: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival on 23rd March. The festival runs from 19th – 30th March at BFI Southbank.