Director Franco Rosso’s “Babylon” was never released in America. It’s a 1980 film with subtitles and no big-name stars that centers on poor black male youths in London living among neighbors who shout, “Go back to your country!” from their bedroom windows on a regular basis. It’s about their daily resistance to hate and navigating a system that is rigged against them.
The characters speak in Jamaican patois, and there is no white savior. In many ways, it is the antithesis of what mainstream audiences in America were interested in watching at that time. But 39 years later, it finally sees the light of day in U.S. theaters.
Releasing “Babylon” today underscores its unfortunate relevance, though it also makes it vulnerable to criticism shaped by modern society and conversation. For instance, the screenplay by Rosso (who died in 2016) and co-writer Martin Stellman deserves acclaim for highlighting the stories...
The characters speak in Jamaican patois, and there is no white savior. In many ways, it is the antithesis of what mainstream audiences in America were interested in watching at that time. But 39 years later, it finally sees the light of day in U.S. theaters.
Releasing “Babylon” today underscores its unfortunate relevance, though it also makes it vulnerable to criticism shaped by modern society and conversation. For instance, the screenplay by Rosso (who died in 2016) and co-writer Martin Stellman deserves acclaim for highlighting the stories...
- 3/5/2019
- by Candice Frederick
- The Wrap
Similar News
Whoopi Goldberg Mourns The View’s Glory Days
- 5/14/2024
- by Chanel D. Adams
- Celebrating The Soaps
90 Day Fiance alum Larissa Lima reveals relationship status with Colt Johnson: ‘I love all my exes’
- 5/14/2024
- by Mona Wexler
- Monsters and Critics
Rob Warne Gushes Over Mom Following Arrest Of Sophie’s Mother
- 5/14/2024
- by Michael Malley
- TV Shows Ace
‘The Young Wife’ Trailer: Kiersey Clemons Endures Marital Un-Bliss in ‘Melancholia’-Esque Dramedy
- 5/14/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“Oh my gosh, he’s gotta direct Mission: Impossible”: After Star Wars, Steven Spielberg Also Had a Hand in Bringing Tom Cruise’s Death-Defying Franchise to Life
- 5/14/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Megapolis Continues Francis Ford Coppola’s Wild Late Career Big Swings
- 5/14/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Quentin Tarantino Was Horrified by 1 Disney Movie
- 5/14/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, BTS Will Get the ‘Bridgerton’ Orchestra Treatment on Season 3
- 5/13/2024
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Soundtrack Includes BTS, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Nick Jonas Covers (Exclusive)
- 5/13/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘The Boys’ Renewed for Season 5 at Amazon
- 5/14/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Tomb Raider’ Series Scores Amazon Pickup
- 5/14/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jennifer Lopez Deserves Credit For Being the Ultimate Latina Rom-Com Queen
- 5/14/2024
- by Zayda Rivera
- Popsugar.com
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Teaser Trailer: Reese Witherspoon & Will Ferrell Wedding Comedy Opens January 2025
- 5/14/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Andrew Garfield Joins Julia Roberts In Luca Guadagnino’s Thriller ‘After The Hunt’ Coming In 2025
- 5/14/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
‘The Boys’ Gets Early Season 5 Renewal And ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Is Coming Back For Season 2
- 5/14/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Where to Watch the Team Behind ‘Challengers’ Next
- 5/14/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Greta Gerwig Speaks on Cannes #MeToo and Strike Shake-Ups: It’s ‘Only Moving Everything in the Correct Direction’
- 5/14/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Teaser Trailer: Reese Witherspoon & Will Ferrell Wedding Comedy Opens January 2025
- 5/14/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Andrew Garfield Joins Julia Roberts In Luca Guadagnino’s Thriller ‘After The Hunt’ Coming In 2025
- 5/14/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
‘The Boys’ Gets Early Season 5 Renewal And ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Is Coming Back For Season 2
- 5/14/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
‘The Boys’ Renewed for Season 5 at Amazon
- 5/14/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Carrie-Anne Moss Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger in Season 2 of FUBAR
- 5/13/2024
- by IMDb News
- IMDb News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Late Night Ratings: Friday, May 10, 2024
- 5/14/2024
- by A.J. Katz
- LateNighter
Kristen Welker & Husband John Hughes Expecting Baby Via Surrogate (Video)
- 5/14/2024
- TV Insider