CHANNEL 4 COMMISSIONS THE TALK (w/t) FROM WHISPER AND CARDIFF PRODUCTIONS

2 July 2020

Channel 4 continues to commission films that explore different aspects of the black experience in modern Britain with a thought-provoking new film from Whisper and Cardiff Productions.  The Talk (w/t) is an hour-long documentary co-funded by Whisper and Channel 4 that will reveal a part of British life that is little known about outside the black community.

‘The Talk’ in the black community is to prepare children for the reality of living in a society where their skin colour marks them out for a lifetime of challenges white people may not understand.

The first talk normally happens around age 4-7 and marks the day a child loses their innocence. Parents have to explain that, because of the colour of their skin, some people think they are less worthy of respect. Children are taught what to expect and how to react; advice based on experiences suffered by family, friends and neighbours.

The film will feature a cast of leading black public figures sharing memories of the talk(s) they’ve given or received, contextualised by family archive or an event that triggered the talk such as a prominent death in police custody.

The Talk (w/t) is set to offer an accessible and authentic way of bringing the contemporary black British experience of tackling racism to a broad, CHANNEL 4 audience. It will be directed by Geoff Small and exec produced by Maxine Watson, with Patrick Younge Managing Director of Cardiff Productions and Sunil Patel CEO of Whisper.

Whisper CEO Sunil Patel: “We approached Channel 4 with the idea to co-fund an important film that could help raise awareness of racism and generate change. The Talk (w/t) is set to be a compelling watch on a subject matter that we, as a company, are very passionate about. We have always been committed to creating a company that reflects the diverse society we live and work in – be that BAME, disability, gender or age – but we can always do more. We want to help educate, in this case with a thought-provoking, engaging production, and to celebrate the work of black directors, producers, writers and DOPs, such as Patrick, Geoff and Maxine. This film felt like absolutely the right thing to do and it’s good to make it happen.”

Channel 4, Fatima Salaria: “After George Floyd’s death Sunil and Patrick both independently got in touch with me and I asked them to work together on this brilliant idea of Pat’s. Together they have recruited leading black talent to make what promises to be really authentic television that will reflect the reality of Black British lives and raise questions about race in modern Britain.  I’m grateful to Whisper for helping make this work financially and their real commitment to telling these stories and supporting black filmmakers.”

Patrick Younge, MD Cardiff Productions: “This project evolved from an idea of my American partner, Robert Robinson, and has grown through collaboration with Fatima and Channel 4, Sunil and his colleagues at Whisper, Maxine, Geoff and the team. I hope shining a light on this rite of passage for black Britons will help everyone understand how we try to navigate racism and discrimination here at home.”  

 

ENDS

 Note to Editors

Whisper is an international sports and entertainment production company. As the only BAME-led sports production company in the UK, Whisper’s diversity figures (BAME, disability and gender) are above industry standards, but it knows more must be done and wants to use its position to help generate change. Whisper was previously part of the Channel Four Growth Fund.

 

Press Enquiries to:

Samantha Fraser sfraser@channel4.co.uk