David Farnor | On 15, Jun 2020

Channel 4 is airing short films exploring race in Britain every night this week.

Director of Programmes Ian Katz ordered a series of short and long-form original films in response to the death of George Floyd in the US and its impact on black Britons, as told by black British filmmakers. All five short films, under the series title Take Your Knee Off My Neck, have now been confirmed and will air nightly at 7.55pm on Channel 4, All 4 and social media – starting on Monday 15th June.

The films, each with a different style, range from powerful testimony from people who have experienced racial abuse, to an inspirational call to action from George The Poet. Politicians, comedians, doctors and members of the public reveal why they feel they must urgently challenge racism.

The films will explore and debate the arguments and questions about our society that have long been felt but have been given new urgency by the death of George Floyd and ensuing Black Lives Matter protests. The films form a collective protest about the systemic racism and injustice Black people continue to face in Britain.

The films were commissioned by Head of Specialist Factual, Fatima Salaria and the Commissioning Editors for Channel 4 are Rita Daniels and Sacha Mirzoeff. They are produced by Milk and Honey.

Sacha Mirzoeff said: “These were designed as films of protest, not films about protest. There’s no greater international issue out there and it felt key to respond quickly. Milk and Honey have worked around the clock to make films of the highest quality which do not flinch away from some painful truths.”

Here’s the line-up for this week:

MY FIRST TIME

Powerful testimony from people who recall the first time they were racially abused

THE SHADOW OF SLAVERY

Western Europe’s first elected black mayor and protestors from Bristol discuss the impact of the toppling of Edward Colston’s statue.

THE NEXT STEP WITH GEORGE THE POET (w/t)

Peabody prize-winner George The Poet invites us to reimagine and redesign the future post George Floyd.

Untitled 1

A currently untitled film looking at the experiences of BAME doctors and nurses in the NHS who have suffered racism.

Untitled 2

A currently untitled film comparing comedic skits from the civil rights movement of the 60s and 70s with related comedy today.

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