Netflix (2024)
Trailer available here
“Hang on a second. Is that Ian Wright?!” is not a sentence I imagined would be appearing in my head whilst watching a show on Netflix. But there I was one day, watching this gritty dystopian feature length film about the dismantling of culture through gentrification, policing and politics, and suddenly his voice popped up as Lord Kitchener a leading light in the resistance.
That is probably bit of a weird thing to lead on, and to be clear that is not the highlight, but Lord Kitchener plays a pivotal part in the plot even though there isn’t a lot of actual screen time here and creates a lot of strength, power and emotions. As the leader of the airwaves in the last essentially council or slum housing area in London, encouraging strength and resistance everyday especially during police raids, his voice provided resonance throughout.
As somebody that grew up in social housing and then moved to London with aspirations and dreams, witnessing gentrification and the attempted destruction of social and cultural hubs through policing and horrific political policies over numerous years, this movie really hit the feels a little bit. Anybody that hasn’t grown up completely sheltered from a life of struggle can resonate with what the show makes them witness but it also adds elements of technological development involving AI and lack of human interaction to make changes in personal lives, give people comfort and more.
Add in an element of unexpected connection between the two main characters of Izi, a guy just trying to keep his head down and focus on getting out of the housing district for a nicer but wildly overpriced apartment, and Benji a youth that has no family left and almost falls into the ‘wrong path’ and this movie will just whack you in the feels. The way Benji has a couple of housing items, that Izi looks at as nothing more than charity shop tat or bric-a-brac, but are the most important sentimental things in the world is one of those little nods in the show that not everything in this world is about wealth and that even then wealth comes in more than just fancy material possessions but instead culture, memories and morals.
As the plot continues to develop it really sucks you in further and by the end of it you don’t know whether to be heartbroken or let out a sigh of relief. Give it a watch and you will understand what I mean. And whilst this show is in some ways dystopian it is also the reality for many people all across the globe and that outright sucks.
DANNIIXBHRI 