Music

NXNE FILM REVIEW: Made in Birmingham: Reggae Punk Bhangra

by Allan Tong

@ NXNE: Wednesday, June 15, 5:00 p.m.

What’s Birmingham?

This documentary by Deborah Aston answers that question by chronicling the musical history of this English industrial town. We learn in her film that since the punk late-’70s, Birmingham has been a melting pot of music made by Jamaicans, South Asians (from India), and hip white English kids.  In a little over an hour we hear from UB40, Steel Pulse, Musical Youth, Beshara, Swami, The Nightingales, Au Pairs, Amlak, The Prefects, Fuzzbox, The Ever Readies, The Accused, Apna Sangeeta and others.  Vintage performance clips and contemporary interviews make up most of the film.

Their music will probably be new to audiences here and the stories they tell be a worthy history lesson.  Now, I wouldn’t place Birmingham alongside Manchester and Liverpool on the musical map, but the city receives its due in Aston’s film.  It’s obviously a labour of love, which is also its weakness.

Made in Birmingham clumsily sketches the historical and social context that gave rise to this scene.  Okay, immigrants flocked here from the Caribbean and India.  They brought their music and traditions.  Meanwhile, unemployment’s been high.  All ingredients to make this musical stew of styles.  However, the viewer has to work at connecting the dots instead of the film presenting it in an exciting manner.

Another problem is the film feels so nice, like a tourism board product meant to promote Birmingham instead of examining it with some detachment.

Perhaps I’m being harsh, but I wanted Birmingham to dig deeper.

Watch the trailer below:

Title Sequence from Made In BHAM Reggae Punk Bhangra on Vimeo.