Experiences of young Black men in Britain explored in short films

Pharrell Woon, who studied BA (Hons) Film Production and Rashaan Hersi, a BA (Hons) Film and Television undergrad, both used their Final Major Project (FMP) at Solent to create important films about racial equality and social injustice.

Pharrell’s film, The Blacker the Berry, takes place in Brixton in 1997. It follows 19-year-old Domani, as he navigates an absent father, friendship, and love, and comes up against racism. Pharrell’s inspiration for the film was a deeply personal one:

“The film stems from genuine events experienced by members of my family, as well as other notable Black stories that transpired during the 1990s, such as the case of Stephen Lawrence. My intention was to create a film that focused on a sense of realism, through the use of compelling acting and visually stunning imagery. The most effective approach for achieving this was to ground the film in authentic events and build upon them, while simultaneously preserving its originality by incorporating elements of reality.”

The Blacker the Berry invites audiences to dive into the world of Domani, a British Jamaican man on the cusp of adulthood, as he faces prejudices and acts of violence, along with clashes of culture on the streets of London. Three years of study has led Pharrell to this moment:

“Everything I’ve learnt about being a filmmaker, I learnt at Solent. During my time at university, my drive for filmmaking and success quickly developed, and it has allowed me to make lifelong friends and creative colleagues that will forever keep me creating alongside them. Studying at Solent solidified what I want to be and taught me the skills to reach that goal. The University’s holistic approach transformed me into a filmmaker.”

Rashaan’s short film, Whitewashed, follows Jamari, a young Caribbean-British man coming to terms with his identity. As an emerging creative talent, Rashaan drew on his own experiences to make this film:

“I drew inspiration for this project from my own life and struggles with identity. I believe it to be important to share stories like this, to give a voice to those who feel overlooked in situations like this, and to show them that they aren’t alone in their struggle.”

Whitewashed follows Jamari from adolescence to early adulthood, as he begins to accept who he is. From suppressing his culture to leaning into his identity, audiences are invited to step into Jamari’s shoes and follow his journey. On the experience of making this film, Rashaan says:

“Creating the project definitely came with challenges, but with the help of my team, family and friends, it was a really positive experience that helped me grow both as a creative and person. Solent has been an amazing environment for developing creatively and meeting other like-minded people; I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Both Pharrell and Rashaan are now getting ready to graduate from Southampton Solent University on Wednesday 9 July. From there, they both intend to pursue their creative passions, experimenting with a mix of directing, photography, and fashion.

Find out more about Solent's degrees in film and television here.