Pressure: A film directed by Horace Ové

Context:

The Director:

Horace Ové

Horace Ové was born in Trinidad in 1939. Horace Ové later came to Britain in 1960.Two years after Trinidad received its independence from the United Kingdom. Ové is known globally “as one of the leading black independent filmmakers to emerge in Britain since the post-war period” mostly because 

“Ové holds the Guinness World Record for being the first Black British film-maker to direct a feature-length film, Pressure (1975)”.

The Film:

In a 2005 interview Ové discusses how both he and Sam Selvon (who co-wrote the script) bought their own experiences together to write the text.  For example the scene in pressure when Tony goes to a job interview mirrored the experience of Ové: “I remember going for my first interview with World about us and nobody knew I was the black film-maker. I arrived and the producer looked at me when I pushed his door open when his sectary sent me up to the office. [When he saw me]he went red all over his face [and said] “Who are you? What do you want?”  [I told him my name to which he replied] “yes so what?”, I said “ I am the film-director that has come to see you about working with world about us”.  Then he started to look down at his books very nervously. Then I started to laugh being a trinny. He said “What are you laughing at” I replied “If you go in the sun next summer and take of all your clothes and lie in it, you will get a tan and  you will look as good as me”. Then he began laughing , so that broke the tension, that sense of humour, that way of pushing the door open and not getting to uptight”.

On a side note I think it is important to think of the critic Graeme Harper who argued in post-colonial texts/works humour assists in realigning individual and collective identifications, although this is a real-life story it is important to note how humour played an important role in the directors life.

The protagonist:

Tony is a British born teenage boy with Trinidadian descent who has just recently left school. He lives with his Mother, Father and Brother (who unlike him was born in Trinidad and came over to the United Kingdom after growing up in Trinidad).  Tony is an embodiment of what Homi Bhabha termed “Hybridity” as seen in the uncertainty experienced by the protagonist in having more than one home. Although in reality Tony has only ever had one home which in turn has formulated his identity; Tony’s identity is forced upon him by people who surround him and their perceptions of him, as a result Tony’s experiences dual identity one caused by his upbringing the other by his skin colour and heritage.

Tony lacks stability in either identity and this is embodied by the friends he has:

British Friends:

Although Tony thorough out childhood fitted in, as seen through his recollection with his friend Dave in Scene three (titled “nothing should stop you”) his skin colour deters him from continuing to fit in and develop with them (his inability to get a job). This is further emphasised by the landlord’s reaction to him. Sheila argues with the landlord and claims she has “loads of friends come later than this” but the landlord is adment this one is different further alienating Tony. This inability to develop alongside his friends is soon realised by Tony who goes home to dream about his childhood.

                                                                                   Trinidadian Friends:

Although Tony is recognised as part of their group, it is still clear that unlike them he is a “fish and chip man”.  Who will never totally understand their trials and tribulations in life. It is interesting to note that Tony's friends are introduced in the scene called "Consciousness". 

So theres a bit of information on the film which I thought you might find useful. Alongside this I am going to point out a few events in the film which I think hold significance. 

Main Events:

Breakfast Scene: Lowered the music , his brother was also listening , positioning tony is west , his brother is east. Collins is an extremist his hands to eat traditional food, tony eats English food with a fork. Bread in the middle of the table (bread suggest sustenance and life , highlights how they are related.)Colour distinction between car and the shop highlights the different in perspective, further emphasised by the way in which the car passes the static shop , highlights how Colin will have a dramatic effect on the stability. Interesting how the radio acts as a legitimate platform for Caribbean culture , black people accepted as entertainers, direct contrast as the mother continues to hum amazing grace and tony puts the music down.

Interview Scene: Stair case shows she ascendence to a better life,the manner in which is shown to be quite difficult , firstly he is stopped by the security guard and has to walk up the stairs.Hostile behaviour shown by woman the way she crosses her hands. The interviewer only gives two stereotypical options a athlete or a criminal. The contestant refusal to pronounce his name properly by the secretary and the interviewer, highlights the need to attach Tony's English name with a as alienism. 

F. 21/08