THE SOUTH STAND (2021)

It's half time in the biggest football match of the season. Racist abuse thunders down from the crowd to the black footballers.

With so much hanging on the result, how will they react?

The idea for “The South Stand” had been kicking around in my head for around 18 months and strangely enough, I finished writing the script an hour or so before sitting back to watch the Bulgaria vs England game. One of life’s little jokes, I guess. The events of that night in Sofia really lit a fire within me and I was compelled to bring the film to life, by any means necessary.

As a black filmmaker and football fan, I was keen to examine how far the sport has come in terms of tackling racist abuse since the black footballing pioneers took to the pitch all those years ago.

We shot the film in February 2020 at Leyton Orient’s Breyer Group Stadium over the Valentine’s Day weekend (I have a very understanding partner). 

“The South Stand” is the first real “ensemble” piece that I’ve made. It was great to work with such a large cast and crew who each brought their individual stories and talents to the film. 

“The South Stand” stars Ike Bennett, Patrick Elue, Fode Simbo and Cornell S John.

Click the play button at the top of the page to watch the full film.