Rikki Beadle-Blair is on a mission. In his work as gay actor, filmmaker, playwright, musician and artist, Rikki has addressed homophobia from a variety of unexpected angles. This includes a dramatisation of the Stonewall riots, the Channel 4 series Metrosexuality, the American sitcom Noah’s Arc and movies based on his plays Kick-Off (about a gay football team) and Fit (about bigotry in schools). Jack Leger spoke with Rikki of his new film Bashment, which takes on homophobic violence in the music business.
Where did you get the idea for Bashment?
I was listening to ragga and hip-hop music and wondering why it’s so homophobic. Then I went to Jamaica, where my mum’s from, to make the BBC documentary Roots of Homophobia. Like many countries, Jamaica is virulently homophobic. People said I wouldn’t be able to have a reasoned discussion there, but that’s not what happened. I decided to really listen to what they had to say. And it was a fascinating journey. When I got home the conversation hadn’t ended for me, and I wanted to bring it to the audience here.
Is it tricky to address such a massive issue without being preachy?
When people come into an issue-based film, they know what they’re going to get. My job is to go beyond the movie or play or song that they’re expecting and say something that’s true. I don’t like being told what to do, so I don’t see why anybody is going to like me saying, “stop being homophobic.” But entertainment is much more powerful. When they’re laughing, you connect with them.
It’s refreshing that Bashment doesn’t build to a big vengeful confrontation.
There are no winners and losers. I don’t know if that was a conscious decision, it’s just an honest one. Everybody’s dealing with their homophobia and racism, and I want to confront that within myself. I’ve thought and felt things that I’m not comfortable with, but I have evolved. I don’t want to be surrounded by people who all agree: I love debate in a safe place. I wanted to have that happen in Bashment, because what’s needed is a discussion.
You’ve been addressing homophobia throughout your career.
I’m just getting started! I wrote a movie for Patrik-Ian Polk that he’s already shot starring Mo’Nique. It’s based on a book called Blackbird, about a boy growing up in the South who thinks God is punishing his family because he’s gay. I wanted to look at church – there’s even an exorcism! – and of course the black and white thing.
“My job is to go beyond the movie or play or song that they’re expecting and say something that’s true.”
How about what’s going on in Russia?
Russia’s got to be taken on. And Uganda too. And South Africa. Boycotts never work, I think we have to talk with the people. Actually I’ve done a short film with some Russians, and weirdly enough they don’t seem as bothered about it as we are. In South Africa, where I’ve worked a lot, gay rights are in the constitution, but that doesn’t stop people from being homophobic.
Any specific projects in the works?
Well, I’ve written a play about two gay teenagers in Iraq. Years ago I worked as a musician in Baghdad, back when we were on the same side. It wasn’t a fun place to be. And now of course, thanks to our “glorious” regime change that we brought whether you wanted it or not, one of the big payoffs is that honour killings, which were rare in Iraq, have now become common. People are killing their gay brother or sister, and nobody does anything about it. So I wanted to do a play about gay teenagers who have no one to turn to. Basically I’m on a world tour of homophobia!
• Bashment is out now on DVD/VOD from Peccadillo.
