Dancers & Dissenters: The Films of Aneil Karia
Thursday, 20 January 2022
Image: The Long Goodbye, Aneil Karia, 2020
Following the 2020 release of his debut feature Surge, celebrated director Aneil Karia joins us for a special retrospective of his short films. Karia’s career is wide ranging- from TV’s Topboy to developing and directing films with rapper Kano, his distinctive style has earned him several awards, including a BAFTA nomination, and a BIFA win in 2020. Karia tells stories of solitary characters in urban spaces; those who have broken out of the shackles of everyday life, dancing to their own rhythm and choosing to stand where they know they belong.
At a glance it can seem that they’re losing their minds, although perhaps they know more than anyone?
Nia Childs is a writer and director. Her films question the portrayal of crime in popular culture, with a focus on working class and female lead stories. Her debut short film, The Other End, premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2021. She is also a creative producer and curator, with British cinema is her area of knowledge and expertise, particularly working-class stories, which is reflected in her curation.
Nia Childs will be in conversation with director Aneil Karia, Director of Photography Stuart Bentley and editor Amanda James following the screening.
Teardrops
Aneil Karia
7'
2020
United Kingdom
Music video for the song "Teardrops" from Kano's critically acclaimed Hoodies All Summer album. The live vocal performance and one-take visuals pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to police brutality in the UK
Beat
Aneil Karia
11'
2013
United Kingdom
A film about a man walking a paper-thin line between hopelessness and euphoria, testing and pushing the boundaries of conventions and impulse
Work
Aneil Karia
13'
2017
United Kingdom
A teenager's perspective of the world around her begins to shift as she is confronted with its capacity for injustice.
Ina
Aneil Karia
4'
2018
United Kingdom
A collaboration with choreographer Alesandra Seutin made as part of a collaboration between Sadlers Wells and Random Acts.
The Long Goodbye
Aneil Karia
12'
2020
United Kingdom
A sobering and powerful watch imagining a dystopian near-future as actor and rapper Riz Ahmed unpacks his feelings towards his country.
Trouble
Aneil Karia
18'
2019
United Kingdom
Based on a concept by rapper Kano, this compelling music / narrative hybrid tells the story of a promising teenager whose life is brutally cut short.