Video: Portrait Of Handworth riot in 1985 - Pogus Caesar (UK)


Black History UK: In 1985 racial tension and community discontentment escalated into the historical Handsworth riots that rocked Birmingham between 9th - 11th September 1985.

Birmingham film maker and photographer Pogus Caesar knows Handsworth well. He found himself in the centre of the 1985 riots and spent two days capturing a series of startling images. Caesar kept them hidden for 20 years. Why? And how does he see Handsworth now?.

The stark black and white photographs featured in the film provide a rare, valuable and historical record of the raw emotion, heartbreak and violence that unfolded during those dark and fateful days in September 1985.

See more information at BBC's Community features

Thank you Sabine for the information.

9 Comments

  1. Hi Blogger,

    I try to send you a email about the black pete post, did you get it? i send it through this site,

    greetz,
    L.Helder

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi L. Helder,

    No I didn't recieve your mail. Please mail it to afroeuropeblog@gmail.com

    Thanks,

    Erik

    ReplyDelete
  3. Handsworth riots - what a moving documentary.

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  4. A very humbling documentary for sure.

    I will pass on weblinks.

    Mr Ceaser handles it with a steely compassion.

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  5. Black history has been drastically changed or concealed by white writers who want to propagate white superiority.

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  6. It's not very often you see these documentaries through the black photographers eyes!

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  7. I agree on your comments. On Pogus Ceaser's oomgallery.co.uk site there are many photos taken from the riots.

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  8. V&A acquire Pogus Caesar's photographs for permanent collection.

    In April 2012 the Victoria and Albert Museum London, acquired four of Pogus Caesar's limited edition black and white photographs for their permanent collection. The archival photographs printed from vintage negatives depict the 1985 Handsworth Riots which took place in Birmingham UK.

    What is now known as the Handsworth Riots lasted for two days. In the aftermath, well over 1500 police officers were drafted into the area and 50 shops were either burnt or looted. Damage to property was estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds, 35 people were injured or hospitalised, 2 people unaccounted for and tragically 2 people lost their lives. Unfortunately some memories and crimes will never be forgotten or forgiven. Even today many people still question themselves and each other "how could a tiny spark turn into such a gigantic flame"?

    Birmingham film maker and photographer Pogus Caesar found himself in the centre of the riots and managed to document these images. The stark black and white photographs provide a rare, valuable and historical record of the raw emotion, heartbreak and violence that unfolded during those dark and fateful days in September 1985.    

    BBC TV: Inside Out. http://www.mymodernmet.com/xn/detail/2100445:Video:840339

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great news! The photos finally get the destination they deserve.

    ReplyDelete
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