SOULJAH Directed By Rikki Beadle-Blair

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

Rikki: It’s about a African-born schoolboy in London who likes to wear make-up.  He is bullied by local teen delinquent drug-dealers who find out there is more to him than glitter.

IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

R: It was written by John Gordon my brilliant co-writer from Noah’s Arc, who was angry about the suppressed aspects of homophobia in a murder case that was huge in the news over here for while.

IE: How did you assemble your production

team?

R: We showed people the script and everybody threw themselves at it. 

IE: How did you find your cast? 

R: I have a company of actors in the UK called Team Angelica, brimming with amazing talent.

IE: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

R: We shot it in three crazy days in the ghetto heartlands of the Old Kent Rd in South London.  It took about 9 months from seed to flower.

IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.

R: My process as director was to share my love for John’s brilliant script with everyone who would listen, and hope they were equally inspired.

IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

R: We have a sequence set in Africa that involves guns.  We didn’t clear the use of firearms with the local police and suddenly police cars and helicopters swarmed over us out of nowhere and we had to charm out way out of  the situation.  I can laugh about it now…

IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?

R: Every second is etched on my memory.  It was soooo much fun.

IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?

R: It played in a huge cinema in West End as part of the London Film Festival, it was on with the new Nick Broomfield film.  It rocked.

IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

R: Flirting with cute fellow filmmakers.

IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

R: My favourite question is How did you take the entire cast and crew to Africa on a 8k budget.  Oh the magic of film….

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

R: Wild ones. 

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

R: There’s just so much to say and I just can’t keep my mouth shut.

 IE: What is next for you? 

R: It’s been a while since Metrosexuality and Noah’s Arc – but I do seem to be getting sucked back into the madness of television, both here and in England.

IE: What is next for the film?

R: More festivals, more touring, more fun.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

R: Don’t hold back, give it everything.  The more you give, the more you’ll get.

IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film? 

R: Why is the director single?

IE: What is the Answer to that question?

R: He’s saving himself for you.