UK
Synopsis
And in return, Cornelius became submerged in a culture of violence and hatred. But as the violence and racism against other black people continued, Cornelius struggled to marry his real identity with the one he had acquired. Filmed with non-actors in locations where the real events took place 15 years ago, BLACK SHEEP blurs the boundaries between documentary and fiction to pose difficult and highly topical questions about race and identity. Who decides what makes us who we are? And what compromises are we prepared to make in order to fit in?
Director's Biography
After directing the behind-the-scenes documentaries for THE IMPOSTER, PROJECT NIM and SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN, Ed made his debut feature documentary GARNET’S GOLD, winning a Grierson Award for Best Newcomer. Since then has has directed BARE KNUCKLE FIGHT CLUB and numerous short films including BLACK SHEEP which has won ten international awards. He is currently directing his second feature documentary.
Interview
BLACK SHEEP took us around 6 months to make. Those 6 months included two days of master interviews and 4 days filming back in the town where the real events happened. When it came to funding, we were very fortunate. We pitched the idea to The Guardian, and they pretty much immediately commissioned the film. The production company I very proudly work with - Lightbox - also co-financed the film. Their support and guidance throughout has been absolutely invaluable and this film has been an amazingly collaborative process.
Which thoughts come to mind concerning a “European cinema community”?
A rich and energetic community of filmmakers who are willing to take risks and push the traditional boundaries of genre amd form.
If you owned a theatre for one night, which films would you screen?
WITHNAIL & I by Bruce Robinson, MAN ON WIRE by James Marsh, CLOSE-UP by Abbas Kiarostami and THE WHITE DIAMOND by Werner Herzog.
What is your next project?
I am currently directing a feature documentary for Netflix.
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Ed Perkins
Produced by: Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn
Cinematography: Michael Paleodimos
Editing: Ed Perkins
Production Design: Guy Thompson
Costume Design: Sharon Long
Make-Up & Hair: Monika Swiatek
Original Score: Tom Barnes
Sound: Paddy Boland
Nominations and Awards
- Short Film Candidates 2019