In this personal episode of the Required Watching podcast, I'm exploring what happens when Black cinema crosses borders. As a Black American living in the UK, I didn't grow up with these stories. I came to them later, and that distance changed how I heard them.

This isn't about explaining Black Britain. It's about the profound shift that happens when you stop expecting art to sound like home.

CHAPTERS (The Four Acts):

Act I: Arrival

Act II: Contrast, Not Comparison

Act III: What Shifted in Me

Act IV: Why This Matters for Filmmakers

ASKED & ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE:

What is it like watching Black British film as a Black American?

Analysis of Steve McQueen's Small Axe.

What are the differences between UK and US Black cinema?

How does national identity shape filmmaking?

What can filmmakers learn from different cultural styles?

To see the formal analysis that inspired this reflection, watch our video "The Grammar of Black British Cinema"

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

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