
Show Notes
In this episode of The BIFA Podcast actors Paapa Essiedu and Lennie James explore the stories and cinemas that made them who they are.
If you’ve been watching, well, lots of great TV over the last decade then chances are you’ve seen Lennie. From beloved police procedural Line of Duty, to undead adventures in The Walking Dead, to Save Me, the disappearance drama that he created, wrote and starred in. But now he’s off the small screen and on stage, currently performing in A Number at the Old Vic, and Paapa who he’s chatting to here, plays his son.
Having established himself with performances in King Lear, Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, Paapa star rose considerably in 2020, with his remarkable performances in Gangs of London and Michaela Coel’s groundbreaking series I May Destroy You, in which he played Kwame. And most recently he appeared in the short film Femme, which won the prize for Best British Short at the BIFA awards in December 2021.
In this episode of the podcast, recorded between performances of their play, Paapa and Lennie explore how the hype around a cinema release has changed over the years, from queuing around the block, to your Netflix queue, the difference between a Saturday morning picture and a Saturday night picture and just how important films like Blade and Black Panther have been for Black Londoners.
The BIFA Podcast is a Little Dot Studios production for BIFA The show is hosted by Jake Cunningham It’s produced by Ellie Aitken, Jake Cunningham and Harold McShiel And it's edited by Content is Queen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The BIFA Podcast
Naomi Ackie is in the house!
Douglas has entered the Booth! This week on The BIFA Podcast, we speak to Douglas Booth about coming up through the independent film, his childhood obsession with the Gladiator, and his current starring role in The Blame alongside Michelle Keegan. Watch The Blame now on ITVX! Also discussed: The legacy of The Riot Club, how Loving Vincent was made, and why teenage girls everywhere remain obsessed with LOL. Listen to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and watch the filmed version on the BIFA Youtube channel. Catch Susan in Enola Holmes 3, now streaming on Netflix. FOLLOW BIFA ON SOCIAL Instagram - @BIFA_film TikTok - @BIFA_film X - @BIFA_film ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special. ABOUT BIFA The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film — CREDITS Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter Produced by the BIFA Team Recorded at Bleat Post Production Music: “Make It Happen” Performed by Laura Welsh Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Becky what? 👻 Kiell Smith Bynoe is this week’s guest on The BIFA Podcast supported by Kia, and he’s here to talk Wicker, Ghosts, Stath Lets Flats, and why independent film needs to stay silly. Listen to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and watch the filmed version on the BIFA Youtube channel. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE CINEMA: https://www.bifa.film/coty-vote/ FOLLOW BIFA ON SOCIAL Instagram - @BIFA_film TikTok - @BIFA_film X - @BIFA_film ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special. ABOUT BIFA The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film — CREDITS Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter Produced by the BIFA Team Audio Engineer: Itzel Gonzalez Estrada Recorded at Bleat Post Production Music: “Make It Happen” Performed by Laura Welsh Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Me oh my, it’s George Mackay!
Oscar nominee and Cinematographer extraodinaire Seamus McGarvey is this week’s guest on The BIFA Podcast!