Babymother (Blu-ray)

Babymother follows young black woman Anita (Anjela Lauren Smith), who dreams of becoming a successful dancehall deejay, whilst juggling the difficulties of raising her two children on a Harlesden housing estate. Her ambitious babyfather Byron (Wil Johnson, Outlander) forges his own music career, unashamedly stealing lyrics from Anita in the process. Supported by her rude girl friends Anita is determined to make her mark, culminating in a dancehall battle against Byron.

Widely considered to be the first truly black British musical, director Julian Henriques uses music to uncover the energetic culture beating at the heart of Harlesden's streets and estates. Featuring music by Beres Hammond and Carroll Thompson, this 90’s gem stars familiar faces from stage and screen including Corinne Skinner-Carter (Burning an Illusion, Pressure) as Anita’s mum and Don Warrington (Rising Damp, Death in Paradise) as ruthless promoter Luther. Babymother is released here for the first time on Blu-ray, newly remastered by the BFI.

• Newly remastered in 2K by the BFI
• We the Ragamuffin (1992, 26 mins): Julian Henriques’ urban musical shot and set in Peckham
• Julian Henriques and Parminder Vir on Babymother (2021, 44 mins): the director and producer talk about the film’s genesis and production history
• Anjela Lauren Smith in conversation with Corrina Antrobus (2021, 49 mins): the actress discusses her part as Anita
• Carroll Thompson in conversation with Rōgan Graham (2021, 32 mins): the singer and songwriter discusses her role as music consultant on the film
• Archive Q&A / Babymother Gallery (2021, 28 mins): an archive Q&A with Julian Henriques and Parminder Vir, recorded at the BFI's National Film Theatre on 9th September 1998. Plays over a selection of stills and production documents.
• We the Ragamuffin Gallery
• Trailer
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Booklet featuring writing on the film by Stuart Hall and producer Parminder Vir and original press material for both We the Ragamuffin and Babymother